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Resident urges board to adopt protocol limiting immigration‑enforcement activity on campuses
Summary
A retired educator urged the board to adopt a resolution shielding students and staff from immigration enforcement except where a judicial warrant or emergency exists; the commenter cited Plyler v. Doe and DHS guidance on sensitive locations.
Retired educator Rod Powell used the public‑comment period to ask the board to adopt a resolution making Cleveland County Schools a “safe and welcoming district” in relation to immigration enforcement.
Powell distributed a proposed resolution and told trustees he had spoken with families who fear immigration enforcement on or near school property. He cited the U.S. Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe and Department of Homeland Security guidance that designates schools as “sensitive locations” where routine enforcement is discouraged. Powell asked the board to make three commitments: (1) not to collect or share immigration status unless required by law; (2) require ICE agents to present a judicial warrant and undergo superintendent and legal review before on‑campus activity except in emergencies; and (3) provide staff training and multilingual family information about rights and procedures.
Powell framed the request as a child‑safety measure and asked trustees to consider the resolution; he did not state that the board took action on the proposal during the meeting. A separate public commenter, Paul Ledford, spoke afterwards about other topics and urged the board to remain united on certain community issues.
