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Superintendent: schools will not release student information without warrant or subpoena; parents will be contacted
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Frank Papalardo told the board and community the district sent principals a parent letter addressing immigration-related concerns and said schools would only provide information to law enforcement with a warrant or subpoena and that parents would be notified first.
Superintendent Dr. Frank Papalardo told the Apache Junction Unified School District Governing Board and attendees on Jan. 28 that the district sent a letter from each principal to families to address community anxiety about immigration enforcement.
Dr. Papalardo said the district’s protocol is to require a warrant or subpoena before providing information or allowing officials access to student records or school premises. He said the district would route any request through legal counsel and the superintendent’s office and that, as a matter of practice, parents would be contacted before any enforcement action affecting a student. ‘‘Your child's safety is our first priority…You will always be informed,’’ Papalardo said.
The superintendent presented the board with recognition items and student achievements during his report but framed the letter and protocol discussion as aimed at reducing anxiety sparked by media reports. No formal policy change was proposed; Papalardo described the steps as the district’s existing practice and said parents should contact the school if they need clarification.
Ending: The board acknowledged the communication and moved on to scheduled information items.
