Madison, Wisconsin has cancelled all classes for May 1st after 70 percent of district staff signed up to participate in anti-ICE demonstrations, leaving thousands of students without supervision or instruction while educators march against immigration enforcement.
District Announces Full Closure
Madison Metropolitan School District officials sent a message to parents explaining the unprecedented closure. The district cited “low staff turnout” for the “Day Without Immigrants” protest as directly threatening student safety due to insufficient supervision and educational support. The announcement, posted on the district’s website, notified families that all after-school care programs would also be cancelled, though athletic events and other activities would continue as scheduled.
Union Organizes Walkout
Madison Teachers Inc., the union representing district educators, actively promoted participation in the protest march. Union leadership announced teachers would join community organization Voces de la Frontera in a march from State Street Library Mall to the state Capitol building at 2 PM. The union’s messaging encouraged teachers to choose marching “with our students and community” over fulfilling their professional obligations. The protest adopts the slogan “No School, No Work, and No Shopping” as part of the nationwide May Day Strong action.
Parents Left Scrambling
The sudden announcement forces working parents to arrange last-minute childcare or miss work themselves. Families now face a full day without school services, adding to the disruption already caused by previous schedule changes. District officials emphasized that students would not be required to make up the missed instructional day, as the school year still meets state Department of Public Instruction requirements for total instructional hours.
Union Priorities Under Scrutiny
The decision highlights tensions between union political activism and educational responsibilities. Rather than requiring teachers to fulfill their employment contracts, the district opted to close entirely, effectively endorsing the political demonstration. Critics argue this prioritizes partisan activism over student needs and parental schedules. The union framed the walkout as solidarity with immigrant communities while calling attention to what they describe as inadequate state funding for public education. School operations will resume Monday, May 4th.
