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Haverhill High student council reviews programs, urges protections for students amid ICE activity concerns
Summary
Student council leader David Martinez apologized for past absences, outlined events and priorities for Haverhill High, and raised concern about ICE activity and its impact on students; the superintendent described district protocols and promised translated parent communications and further guidance.
At the start of public comment, David Martinez, who identified himself as leader of the Haverhill High Student Council, apologized for the council's recent absence from committee meetings and gave a rundown of student activities and priorities.
Martinez said the student council organized a fall festival and spirit weeks, piloted a bilingual tour‑guide program to help students whose first language is not English, expanded social media outreach and planned spring events including a student‑faculty basketball game, a March coffeehouse talent show and an inaugural community marketplace called “Hilly Night.” He said students will soon be asked to rank priorities in a schoolwide survey; early budget priorities he mentioned included more arts funding, expanded ELL supports and facility repairs such as HVAC fixes, restroom maintenance and more reliable intercoms.
Separately, Martinez spoke as a resident to express concern over recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Massachusetts. “These actions directed by the new presidential administration are cruel and inhumane,” he said, and he asserted that ICE agents are not allowed on school grounds without a judge‑signed warrant. Martinez asked the district to ensure steps are taken to protect undocumented students and families.
Superintendent Margaret Murata responded to Martinez’s concern. She outlined district protocol if an outside agency arrives at a school: staff are to photograph credentials and ask the visitor to wait off campus while administrators, the superintendent and the district’s attorneys determine next steps. “Under no situation will we allow them to meet with or talk to children without parents being informed, and present,” Murata said. She added the district will send a letter to families (in translation) with basic information and expects additional guidance from DESE and the Attorney General’s office.
The committee subsequently approved a superintendent recommendation to allow use of a school gymnasium for a public viewing requested by the family of the recently deceased “Coach O.” Kevin Kamau of Kamau Funeral Home thanked the committee on behalf of the family.
