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Clarke County district shares guidance for principals after immigration enforcement concerns
Summary
District leaders said they provided principals with vetted guidance and staff training in late January to prepare for possible encounters with federal immigration officials; no federal agents have entered schools to date, officials said.
Clarke County School District leaders told the school board Feb. 13 that they distributed legal and operational guidance to principals and school staff after learning of potential immigration enforcement activity.
Superintendent’s office staff described a timeline: the district prepared and vetted documents with district counsel, shared the guidance with principals on Jan. 25, and principals then discussed the guidance with their school staffs the following Monday. The materials were reviewed by the district attorney, Mr. Pruitt, before distribution, board members were told.
At the meeting the district said no Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Department of Homeland Security officers had entered any Clarke County schools as of the Feb. 13 board meeting. District officials said the guidance emphasizes staff roles, protecting student privacy, and supporting vulnerable students.
Board members asked for additional data and follow-up at the retreat. Board member Lakisha Gant asked the district to provide attendance and mental-health service data showing any effect of recent policy changes on students; district staff said they are tracking attendance data daily and that the board would be provided relevant reports.
What was included in the district guidance: according to the presentation, materials reviewed by counsel addressed staff neutrality, privacy protections, steps for principals to follow if federal officers request student information or access, and resources for staff and students. District leaders said principals, social workers, psychologists and other district staff attended the initial briefing.
Next steps: The board asked staff to include a review of relevant policies at the board retreat and to provide data on attendance and related student services for the board’s review.
