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Community member says district email about ICE, law enforcement is causing distress; asks for clearer messaging
Summary
At the Burke County Board of Education meeting March 3, a community member said a district email about law enforcement and ICE presence in schools contained mixed messages and requested the district adopt clearer guidance to reduce stress for students and families.
A community member identified only as Aaron spoke during public comment at the Burke County Board of Education meeting on March 3, saying a district email about law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in schools sent by the central office had inconsistent messaging.
Aaron said the email began by saying officers would need a warrant to access a student, but later stated, “if any law enforcement officer, including ICE, commands an employee to produce a student, the employee will comply.” Aaron said the latter sentence undercut the earlier statement and added that the inconsistent messaging was “stressing kids out” and “freaking families out.”
He urged the board to look at messages other school districts had sent and to “consider taking a stronger stance to protect all the kids in y’all schools.” The transcript contains no record of a staff reply or board direction to revise the email during the meeting.
Aaron asked the board to consider clearer messaging to reduce stress for students, families and teachers; he said current inconsistencies were affecting classroom operations and family well-being.
