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Warren Township board reviews district plan to support students amid immigration enforcement concerns
Summary
At a Feb. 18 Warren Township High School District 121 board meeting, district staff and the Bilingual Parent Advisory Council described outreach, emergency-planning and staff training underway after families reported immigration enforcement notices and rising community questions.
Warren Township High School District 121 staff told the school board Tuesday they have expanded outreach, staff training and family resources after community members asked how the district will respond if immigration enforcement officials seek students or records.
The discussion, introduced by the board as an "immigration enforcement update," centered on what staff are doing to protect students and communicate procedures to families, and on steps to help students who may be required to leave the country before graduation.
Doctor Moran, a district staff member who spoke at the meeting, said the district has reviewed its procedures for responding to law-enforcement requests and is directing staff to require supporting documents before releasing information. "Oftentimes, that's some type of warrant, that's signed by a federal judge," Doctor Moran said, adding that requests for student records or access are processed through the superintendent's office rather than by reception or security staff.
Sandy, speaking on behalf of the Bilingual Parent Advisory Council (BPAC), thanked the district for holding the discussion and described the council's role in relaying community concerns. She said BPAC members and bilingual counselors, including Carla Vargas and Marlene Vargas, have been hearing students' stories and distributing resources.
District staff described actions taken so far: an all-staff meeting that covered procedures; targeted trainings and one-page guidance for bus drivers and transportation staff; voluntary small-group sessions for employees; and plans to include immigration-related guidance and resources in institute-day breakout sessions on March 3. The district also has encouraged families to prepare emergency plans so students will know who to contact and how to access supports if a parent or guardian is removed.
Board members asked about reported attendance impacts and enforcement activity. Doctor Moran and BPAC leaders said they had not identified a districtwide attendance decline beyond normal patterns, though a small number of families have left the district. "We're getting more questions about safety of some of our other groups of students, specifically our LGBTQ students," Doctor Moran said, noting that inquiries have broadened beyond immigration. "You can't tell by looking at someone or by talking with them if this is impacting them."
BPAC leaders reported they had learned of several local families receiving letters from immigration authorities giving them time to leave the country; two students known to BPAC were identified as seniors facing potential removal. Sandy said that is a new development the district will need to address, particularly the question of how to help seniors complete requirements if forced to leave.
Attendance staff member Mr. Lazaro was cited by Moran as indicating no unusual attendance patterns beyond the district's normal variation. The board and staff agreed to continue monitoring, to expand family communications, and to provide resources through student services and bilingual counselors.
No formal board action or policy change was proposed at the meeting; the item served as a status update and discussion of ongoing supports.
The district encouraged families with concerns to contact school counselors and student services for help creating emergency plans and accessing resources.
