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Parents and residents praise Riverhead district letter protecting immigrant students, urge reporting tools
Summary
Several parents and community members praised a Jan. 23 Riverhead district letter reaffirming protections for students regardless of immigration status and urged the board to create clear reporting mechanisms for discrimination.
Several residents and parents used the Jan. 28 Riverhead Central School District board meeting to praise a district letter to the community dated Jan. 23 that reaffirmed the district's commitment to protect students’ access to public education regardless of immigration status and to keep schools safe learning environments.
Cindy Clifford, a longtime Riverhead parent, thanked the board and district for their “dedication and caring” and for the Jan. 23 letter, saying it is “in keeping that Riverhead could not knowingly allow for any child to fear for their safety.”
Dr. Carrie Spooner, a parent of a sixth grader at Pulaski Street School, addressed federal and state legal protections cited in her remarks. Spooner referenced Brown v. Board of Education and Plyler v. Doe, and she identified New York education laws “section 3201 and 202” and the Dignity for All Students Act as statutory foundations for the district’s obligations. Spooner also said a January 2025 executive order authorizing Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations at schools and other previously protected locations has heightened community concern. Spooner thanked the district for its letter and urged the board to “create more transparent, accessible mechanisms for families to report and address incidents of discrimination or harassment on school grounds swiftly and effectively.”
Other public commenters echoed support. Michelle Lynch of the community said the letter was “extremely important” for assuring families. An online commenter, Jules DeVito of Flanders, wrote that immigrants “are not any more likely to commit crimes than any other demographic” and said she was proud that Riverhead had taken a stand to protect students’ educations.
The speakers framed their remarks as appreciation for the district's public stance and as calls for practical steps — improved reporting and clear procedures to address discrimination or harassment. The board did not announce new policy changes or procedures during the meeting; speakers requested that the board develop or publicize accessible reporting mechanisms going forward.
Ending
Board members heard several public comments of support for the Jan. 23 letter and were asked to follow up with clearer reporting processes; no formal board action was taken on the request at the Jan. 28 meeting.
