A planned “walkout” by students at South Whidbey High School on Thursday was called off after student leaders voted to ignore the idea.

“We support the issue of better education funding by the state,” said student body president Tyler “Chuck” Norris. “We understood the point but not the purpose behind it, since it doesn’t make sense to walk out on our own school.”

The walkout was part of the National Day of Action to Defend Education, marked by demonstrations across the country. Students, healthcare workers, union members and others were expected to take part.

The South Whidbey walk-out was organized by Jumanji Oliana, a

2004 graduate of South Whidbey High and a member of the Olympia Coalition for a Fair Budget. The demonstration was meant to draw attention to $408 million in K-12 funding cuts this year and $500 million in cuts to higher education.

The skyrocketing cost of tuition and the impacts of budget cuts by the state on the ability of young people to get higher education was the primary sparkplug for the protest.

“We all believe that’s an important subject, but decided to explore other means to deal with it,” Norris said. “And to be honest, it was beginning to seem like more of a senior prank than a legitimate protest.”

He noted that there was no dialogue or conversation between the ASB and Oliana about the protest.

“And she’s not even here today,” he said, looking around the school parking lot.

Oliana was at Evergreen College for the big day. In an e-mail, she said she wished she could have been on the island more to organize.

“I know that I could have gotten more students involved and able to organize themselves, but this was not the case,” she wrote. “Regardless, I think overall the walkout was an extremely positive event, because students are now aware of the events going on in a much more personal way.”

Though not set in concrete, South Whidbey students are considering a future on-campus rally after school, possibly attended by a local state legislator.

“We think that would be a more effective means of getting the word out,” Norris added.

Principal Rob Prosch said he supports students who want to have their voices heard, but also said that state law and school board policy are clear on the issue.

“Our students are expected to be in their classes during school and that’s what we have today,” he said.

“Our school district supports kids in regard to their advocacy and their right to express their opinions,” Prosch said. “My understanding is that there will be an assembly or rally to spread the word about education funding, and that is the right venue.”

As he spoke, a group of students chanting “Good morning, Mr. Prosch” serenaded the principal outside his office window. They were part of teacher Andy Davis’ applied math class and were vocal about opposing the walkout idea.

“I don’t think that’s the right way to protest,” said Duck Hanna.

Classmate Erin Walker agreed.

“The whole thing was dreamt up by someone who graduated a long time ago,” she said. “Not by us.”