Student arrested after repeatedly going to high school on online days, NY school says

A New York student was arrested after repeatedly going to to school on days he was scheduled for online learning, officials say.

Maverick Stow, a student at William Floyd High School in Long Island, went to campus Thursday despite his suspension for going to campus on a day he was supposed to be attending remote classes, according to the William Floyd School District. Suffolk County police officers arrested the teenager as he entered the building.

Stow is protesting guidelines imposed by state officials for reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic. The high school of 3,000 students is offering a hybrid of online and in-person classes to abide by social distancing requirements.

“Mr. Stow continues to display irresponsible and selfish behavior with today’s latest publicity stunt,” the school said in a statement. “He arrived wearing a neon green shirt — for high visibility — with a contingent of media just outside the fence line trying to capture him getting arrested as he entered the building.”

He was arrested on a charge of criminal trespassing.

“I feel strongly that kids should be able to go to school five days a week,” Stow told WPIX. “I hope that me facing the consequences for my actions are going to lead to potentially change in the schooling system and a 100% in-person learning solution.”

The 17-year-old’s parents support their son’s decision, WABC reported.

“Kids need to be in school every day. Virtual learning is not learning,” Nora Kaplan-Stow told the news outlet a day before her son’s arrest. “My son is being suspended because he wants to be in school.”

The school district says Stow’s actions are creating a “circus atmosphere.”

“We are still in the midst of a pandemic and will abide by the regulations set in place by our government and health officials designed to keep our students and staff safe,” the school district said. “As we have said, Mr. Stow’s rights as a student do not surpass the rights of any of our other 8,799 students; they should not have to come to school to witness this circus atmosphere each day.”