[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6666350,"mediaKeyId","2333441-7081798e1c77db8ad58141fb7ad5860b","parentId",2333441,"title","Parents, students and advocates urge Wake County board to protect immigrant students; Title IX and DEI debates continue in public comment","audioSeconds",2169,"startMs",1489000,"endMs",3658000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333441-7081798e1c77db8ad58141fb7ad5860b&start=1489&end=3658","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333441-7081798e1c77db8ad58141fb7ad5860b/thumbnail_1489000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6666350/North-Carolina/Parents-students-and-advocates-urge-Wake-County-board-to-protect-immigrant-students-Title-IX-and-DEI-debates-continue-in-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666350-c0ccff1fba6fdd005029412f1664b312/orig.mp4?Expires=1775455991&Signature=fBslMEGeXyi6vdZS3bSl5UxqaBop26bgN2PLU229povJ2L2HGwGpQvah5zwbWBwHjQIPd8RcDs8lDii7MUFGNfebO~4FIbjNj56yytZcN8Q3RPzSeeFcjOc9q8dmeO3X4YXuaHzhdnTRpqxwL0RecjiIvvh2I2flJJMbmLvFSBgyRvldRgNz8xSpnsQnpbFdIwOJGySMPUwE6I6qWFFku7J2XidwZNEQ408~37lkzF99z0qr5q~EfJjBDqAuze4iT1WhqrtCikN~txekezUWw70MEMFuhC0HDGU24n9vAjn2Hl22teaPvnyxBECPjRBsB1lTrjW3-kl6Ry~MoVOnWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wake County Schools","date","2025-02-18T21:56:16.077Z","article","Dozens of community members addressed the Wake County Board of Education on Feb. 4, urging the district to shield immigrant families from immigration enforcement at schools, calling for clearer guidance and staff training, and pressing the board to protect students’ safety and privacy. The public comment period also included sharply divergent views on Title IX, transgender-student policies and DEI programs.

What speakers asked for
- Strong district guidance to limit cooperation with immigration enforcement at schools and to ensure parents are present before any questioning of students. Several speakers said families are afraid to ride buses or attend school because of enforcement actions. Fernando Martinez of the Education Justice Alliance told the board the immigrant community is “confused” and “afraid” and urged the district to be “bolder” in safeguarding families.
- Training for school staff and bus drivers so they can distinguish lawful court orders from other documents and avoid misleading or coercive interactions, a practical step several speakers requested.
- Mental-health supports and culturally competent counseling for students who the public said are experiencing increased stress and fear; multiple parents and organizers asked the district to expand access to counselors familiar with immigrant-family needs.

Who spoke (selection)
- Bailey Owens, Apex Friendship High School junior: “Every child deserves the chance to learn in an environment free from fear.”
- Fernando Martinez, Education Justice Alliance: asked the board to “be bolder” and said Wake County “is one of the largest school districts… people will follow your leadership.”
- Carmen Flores (interpreter reading for Martha Hernandez): described children afraid to take buses and asked the superintendent to “support the families of their students” and to keep schools free from immigration enforcement.
- Dr. Edith Nieves, pediatrician: cited research on toxic stress and told the board the American Academy of Pediatrics “opposes any policies that are detrimental to the children's health and well-being.”
- Jessica Guandique, parent: described family-level impacts and asked for more preventive measures and counselor attention for children affected by immigration-related stress.

Divergent views on Title IX and DEI
- Some commenters urged the board to roll back the district’s July 2022 policy language that had incorporated the Department of Education’s 2022 Title IX rule changes, saying recent federal actions and court decisions require the district to revert to earlier guidance. Tammy Fitzgerald told the board the federal Office for Civil Rights is enforcing the 2020 Title IX framework and urged the district to “revise” policies accordingly.
- Other speakers and public speakers defended DEI and inclusive practices as interventions that help students access instruction, including accessibility accommodations and supports for students with varied learning needs. Nicole Baldridge, a former teacher and parent, defined DEI as “what makes schools and workplaces accessible for all people” and said it includes ramp access, subtitles, and other accommodations.
- Joseph Deaton, a public commenter, raised scientific and legal critiques of clinical guidance relating to gender-transition treatments for minors. His remarks were part of the wider Title IX/medical-treatment debate in public comment.

District response and context
- Dr. Robert Taylor, WCPSS superintendent, told the board: “Our number one priority is to make sure that students are safe when they come to school.” He said the district has provided principals guidance on what to do if agents come to a school and reaffirmed that the district does not ask for immigration information as part of enrollment.
- Taylor told the board that executive orders and federal guidance are changing rapidly and the district’s priority is to follow the law while keeping students safe. He said the district will continue to share guidance with schools and to consult legal counsel about compliance.

Next steps requested by speakers
- Formal, written guidance and training for principals, bus drivers and school staff on how to respond if an immigration agent appears on campus and how to protect students’ privacy and safety.
- Additional counseling and mental-health supports targeted to immigrant families and students experiencing anxiety related to enforcement actions.

Why it matters: Speakers said fear of immigration enforcement and policy uncertainty are affecting attendance, student mental health and the ability of families to participate in school life. Board members and staff acknowledged the seriousness of those concerns and requested staff follow-up, while distinguishing between district authority and what state or federal agencies may require.

Ending: The board concluded public comment and proceeded to board business. Members said they would continue to weigh legal obligations, federal guidance, and local safety concerns as the district refines any formal directives or training for school staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-2-4 Board Meeting (Re-upload)","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of community members addressed the Wake County Board on Feb. 4 urging the district to protect immigrant students from immigration enforcement at schools and pressing for clearer staff guidance, training and mental-health supports.","taxTitle","Wake County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina","taxId",14083,"location","North Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6666354,"Wake County Board adopts 2025 state legislative priorities; adds teacher-licensure, voucher and school-meal language",5518,8072000,13590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333441-7081798e1c77db8ad58141fb7ad5860b&start=8072&end=13590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333441-7081798e1c77db8ad58141fb7ad5860b/thumbnail_8072000.jpg","/articles/6666354/North-Carolina/Wake-County-Board-adopts-2025-state-legislative-priorities-adds-teacher-licensure-voucher-and-school-meal-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666354-be6c3a65f29edf9d60bfe289f78676c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775455991&Signature=Wgmn5s4UACJUT2Pc6LYHa-ay5PC9s420O8VDNN~nJRCozAzGbr6ejUHzRRXvkidDqAWxRslvOtM5LMaxiuMloaUAyc9LmjrKLn~kx48s~8iMjXHt2ucNzat~L4tVS-KB9T5gx~BQBCLnuXmuJHP9c3I5fQUdjlhUrXUdk3d-wUSUs-QUn7mSBaz5-dzbkW~YW3176Y2S6e~o2AlzLwq9zG37Z0AthNU2~8E0j-VqaZyxjfVYeVouTrIjJo8~Gw0BcS8foqHdPh0GAq6uBsqma2o6ta0kV5dH0sJimyUdURDH4Jgg1mlLCrLGTcRGgs48iRSOnhnbr~GQpvJMDBN9xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wake County Board of Education voted Feb. 4 to adopt its 2025 state legislative priorities, adding amendments that direct the North Carolina General Assembly to reduce barriers to teacher licensure, prioritize public-school funding over private school vouchers, seek additional state support for school nutrition, and expand restart-style operational flexibility for public schools.

The action came after a work-session review and a lengthy public-comment period. After debate and a series of motions and amendments, the board approved the final, amended document in a unanimous vote. Board members said the priorities are intended to guide the district’s advocacy during the 2025 legislative session in Raleigh.

Why it matters: Board members said state-level funding and policy decisions directly affect the district’s capacity to hire and retain teachers, keep students fed and safe, and run programs such as magnet and special-education services. Several amendments adopted by the board address immediate operational pressures the district faces: teacher shortages and licensing barriers, a rapid increase in state-funded private-school vouchers, rising school meal costs, and the need for more local flexibility to support struggling schools.

Key amendments and outcomes
- Reducing barriers to teacher licensure: The board added language urging the General Assembly and DPI to accept out-of-state licensure tests, eliminate costly additional testing (including the edTPA requirement), and reduce state licensure fees for candidates who completed approved educator preparation programs. Motion: introduced by Mr. Hershey; seconded by Ms. Mahaffey. Outcome: adopted.

- Statement on private-school vouchers: The board added a sentence asking the General Assembly to prioritize public-school dollars to fully fund public schools “not private school vouchers.” Motion: introduced by Ms. Edmonds; seconded by Ms. Rice. Outcome: adopted by roll-call vote, 5–4.

- School nutrition funding: The board inserted language asking that North Carolina provide adequate funding to improve school nutrition for K–12 students and asked staff to provide a state-level cost estimate (staff had earlier discussed a $140 million figure to close the remaining gap for K–5 universal meals). Motion: introduced by Ms. Caulfield; seconded by Vice Chair Swanson. Outcome: adopted.

- Expand restart-style flexibility: The board added an item urging the General Assembly to expand restart-school flexibility to more — or to all — public schools so local leaders can target resources and operational changes where they are most needed. Motion: introduced by Ms. Caulfield (as amended); seconded. Outcome: adopted.

Final adoption: After the amendments were adopted, the board voted to adopt the complete 2025 state legislative priorities as amended. Chair Haggerty called for a final vote and the agenda was adopted by unanimous voice vote.

Board discussion and next steps: Members pressed for specific follow-ups. The board directed staff to:
- Verify and report back to members on the exact statewide appropriation referenced during debate (board members cited figures in the $594 million–$616 million range for voucher-related appropriations and asked staff to confirm the correct number).
- Provide a short cost estimate and implementation note that the board can include in advocacy materials for the nutrition ask (the $140 million figure discussed at the meeting was presented as an estimate to close the K–5 gap and staff agreed to verify and document assumptions).
- Incorporate the adopted teacher-licensure language into the lobby packet and share a clean, formatted version of the final priorities with board members and legislative contacts.

Votes and formal actions
- Motion to adopt the consent agenda: moved by Vice Chair Swanson; seconded by Ms. Mahaffey; voice vote, approved.
- Motion to adopt the 2025 WCPSS state legislative priorities (as amended): moved by Vice Chair Swanson; seconded by Ms. Mahaffey; final adoption: unanimous voice vote.
- Amendment — reduce barriers to teacher licensure: mover Mr. Hershey; second Ms. Mahaffey; outcome: adopted.
- Amendment — prioritize public-school dollars, not private vouchers: mover Ms. Edmonds; second Ms. Rice; roll-call outcome: adopted 5–4 (yes: Gordon, Hershey, Edmonds, Haggerty (chair), Rice; no: Ng, Swanson, Caulfield, Mahaffey).
- Amendment — adequate funding for improved nutrition (K–12): mover Ms. Caulfield; second Vice Chair Swanson; outcome: adopted.
- Amendment — expand restart-school flexibility to more/all public schools: mover Ms. Caulfield (as amended); seconded; outcome: adopted.

What the board did not decide: The board did not change existing district policy in the meeting; it adopted advocacy language and directed staff follow-ups. Members emphasized they will continue to refine advocacy materials and will return to federal priorities at a later work session. The board also asked staff to prepare factual background and cost estimates for public distribution to help legislators understand the requests.

Ending: The board concluded the action item with instructions for staff and moved on to other business, then voted to enter closed session for agenda-listed reasons.","The Wake County Board of Education voted to adopt its 2025 state legislative priorities on Feb. 4, 2025, after adding amendments on teacher licensure, state-funded vouchers and funding for school meals, and a proposal to expand restart-style flexibility to more public schools.","actionData","errors"]

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Parents, students and advocates urge Wake County board to protect immigrant students; Title IX and DEI debates continue in public comment

Wake County Board adopts 2025 state legislative priorities; adds teacher-licensure, voucher and school-meal language