School athletic events should be a place for community, school spirit, and positive competition. But in recent years, principals and school administrators across Washington have faced increasing challenges in managing the behavior of not just students,
but also parents and other adults in the stands. Heated rivalries, emotional moments, and high-stakes games can sometimes push fans beyond the boundaries of respectful conduct, leading to disruptions that make these events stressful and even unsafe.
When tensions rise, administrators are often the ones stepping in to restore order—but what happens when their authority is ignored?
Washington state law provides clear expectations for behavior at school-sponsored events and grants school officials the authority to maintain safety and order. Laws surrounding disorderly conduct and failure to comply with school administrator
directives exist to ensure that events remain enjoyable for everyone. Whether it’s addressing a disruptive spectator, managing an unruly crowd, or dealing with escalating conflicts, principals and administrators have the legal backing to enforce
rules and remove individuals who refuse to comply. Understanding these laws not only empowers school leaders but also helps the community recognize the importance of respecting their role in keeping events safe.
RCW 28A.635.020 - Willfully disobeying school administrative personnel or refusing to leave public property, violations, when—Penalty.
Section 1
- Follow School Administrator Orders – If a school administrator or their authorized designee tells someone to leave school property, they must comply.
- Applies to Certain Situations – This applies when a person is:
- Under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Committing or threatening to commit an act that disrupts or interferes with school activities.
- Inciting others to disrupt or interfere with school activities.
- Reasonable Belief Standard – The administrator’s order is valid if they reasonably believe the person is violating these conditions.
- Covers All School Property – This includes buildings, vehicles, grounds, and any other property owned or controlled by the school district.
Section 2
- Obey Law Enforcement Orders – If a law enforcement officer orders someone to leave public property next to school property, they must comply.
- Applies to Certain Conduct – This applies when a person is:
- Creating a substantial risk of injury to someone.
- Creating a substantial risk of harm to property.
- Engaging in disorderly conduct as defined in RCW 9A.84.030.
- Includes Public Areas Near Schools – This applies to sidewalks, streets, or other public spaces immediately next to school property.
Section 3
- Protection of First Amendment Rights – People have the right to free speech, a free press, peaceful assembly, and petitioning the government.
- Limitations on Disruptions – These rights cannot be exercised in a way that:
- Materially disrupts or interferes with school operations.
- Obstructs the lawful activities of students, staff, or visitors.
- Compliance with School Rules – Activities must follow any lawful school district rules regarding access to school property, including buildings, vehicles, and grounds.
Section 4
Violating any part of this law is a serious offense. Anyone who disobeys these rules can be charged with a gross misdemeanor, which carries legal consequences as outlined in RCW 9A.20, including potential fines and jail time.
RCW 9A.84.030 - Disorderly Conduct - Referenced in Section 2 of RCW 28A 635–020
Disorderly conduct:
- A person is guilty of disorderly conduct if the person:
- Uses abusive language and thereby intentionally creates a risk of assault;
- Intentionally disrupts any lawful assembly or meeting of persons without lawful authority
- Intentionally obstructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic without lawful authority; or
- Intentionally engages in fighting or in tumultuous conduct or makes unreasonable noise, within five hundred feet of:
- The location where a funeral or burial is being performed;
- A funeral home during the viewing of a deceased person;
- A funeral procession, if the person described in this subsection knows that the funeral procession is taking place; or
- A building in which a funeral or memorial service is being conducted; and
- Knows the activity adversely affects the funeral, burial, viewing, funeral procession, or memorial service.
- Disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor.
Effective date 2007: “This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions and takes effect immediately.
RCW 28A.635.090 - Interference by force or violence - Penalty.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person, singly or in concert with others, to interfere by force or violence with any administrator, teacher, classified employee, person under contract with the school or school district, or student of any common school
who is in the peaceful discharge or conduct of his or her duties or studies. Any such interference by force or violence committed by a student shall be grounds for immediate suspension or expulsion of the student.
(2) A person violating this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned in jail not more than six months, or both such fine and imprisonment.