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Board reaffirms protections for immigrant students; resolution passes amid divided public comment
Summary
The board adopted Resolution 39-24-25 to affirm advocacy and protections for district immigrant students, citing attendance drops and parental fear. The measure passed after public testimony both supporting and criticizing the policy's scope and potential legal implications.
The San Marcos Unified School District Board of Education voted Feb. 13 to adopt Resolution 39-24-25, a statement the board described as intended to reassure immigrant families that schools are safe places for students and to urge continued advocacy for protections such as DACA and sensitive-location guidance.
Clerk Stacy Carlson introduced the item as a reaffirmation of district efforts after staff and the board noticed increased absences and fear in immigrant communities. "We've noticed a dramatic increase in absences, and parents are afraid to send their kids to school," Carlson said.
Public comment on the item was highly contested. Supporters, including members of the County Board of Education, teachers and district parents, urged the board to adopt the resolution to protect vulnerable students and maintain enrollment. "No student's growth should be stifled due to being afraid that at any moment their whole life could get torn apart," said student speaker Sabrina Martin.
Opponents warned that the board's statement might conflict with federal law and cited concerns about law enforcement access to schools, missing-children cases and potential legal exposure for district officials. Several speakers urged the board to avoid broad, open-ended commitments; others suggested targeted changes instead of a blanket resolution.
Superintendent Andy Johnson and staff said the resolution is a policy statement intended to reinforce existing protections and requested continued collaboration with county and federal officials. Staff noted that federal protections such as FERPA still limit access to student records absent court orders. The board discussed a line in the draft that said it would support "forthcoming legislative efforts," including DACA; trustees asked for clarification and heard that the language signaled general advocacy for measures aligned with safety and inclusion.
After deliberation, Member Carlson moved the resolution; the motion was seconded and the board adopted the measure. Student board representatives voted in favor; one board member voted against. The board and staff said they will continue public outreach and monitor potential changes at state or federal levels that affect district operations.
