Board hears concerns about immigration-enforcement rumors; legal guidance and outreach planned for bilingual families

Board members and the superintendent on Jan. 24 raised concerns about rumors circulating in the community that immigration agents were entering schools and taking children, and described the anxiety this has caused among bilingual students and families.

A board member and district staff said parents and some students have expressed fear that agents will come to schools and remove children, leading some parents to consider keeping children home. The speaker said those reports were not independently confirmed by district officials but reflected real community fears.

District counsel, Attorney Horner, met with the board before the meeting and the board directed that counsel provide written guidance for staff and families. The superintendent and board indicated they will hold a meeting with bilingual parent groups (referred to in the transcript as the bilingual pack) to explain parents’ rights and how district procedures actually operate. No formal policy change or board action on enforcement was taken; the steps described are outreach and legal guidance to address attendance and safety concerns.

Board members emphasized the need to reassure families and to provide accurate information in the district’s languages. The district indicated it will distribute guidance to staff and convene bilingual outreach as soon as counsel’s guidance is available.