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Parents, teachers urge Cincinnati schools to publish clear policy on immigration enforcement; district says guidance shared with principals
Summary
Dozens of parents, teachers and community members told the board they are seeing attendance drops among multilingual learners and want explicit, districtwide guidance about immigration enforcement at schools, training for staff and contingency plans for students whose caregivers are detained.
Several parents, teachers and community advocates used the board’s hearing of the public to press Cincinnati Public Schools for a clear, public policy on how district staff should respond if immigration enforcement agents visit schools.
Speakers described falling attendance among multilingual learners and asked the district to issue written guidance to families and staff, provide training and specify what supports the district will offer students who are separated from caregivers. "We need very clear policies," said Adelaide Cruz, a science teacher at Aiken New Tech High School. "We need a plan with our school partners when our kids come home to an empty house because their parents' job or store or even the bus stop was raided."
Other speakers reported that families are choosing not to send children to school because of fear. Rachel von Holly, an English teacher for multilingual learners, told the board: "For the first time, I feel I have no tools. Families are scared and I feel helpless. They look to us, not you, for guidance. They look to us, not you, for help."
An online speaker identified as Jillian Witheggar thanked the district for issuing guidance to principals earlier the same day and urged that the guidance be shared directly with parents and community groups. "We received some feedback from the district today that kind of outlines district policy and procedures to undertake in the event that immigration officials visit our school," she said. "I hope that the guidelines also go out to community members and the parents in some shape or form."
Teachers asked the board to make a public statement of support for immigrant students and to provide rapid training — including for substitutes and front-office staff — so that every adult on a campus can follow an agreed protocol. Kendra Adamson, an English teacher, said: "Without a clear statement of solidarity from the board for our immigrant students, we face the potential reality of losing their trust in us as educators, their attendance in our school, and ultimately their presence in our communities."
Superintendent Brintonette Murphy acknowledged staff had shared guidance with principals and said the district is working on communicating those procedures as appropriate. The board did not issue a formal policy statement during the meeting; multiple board members asked administration to prepare recommended next steps.
What the district said: Superintendent Murphy said the district had provided principals with guidance about how to respond to enforcement visits and would work to get appropriate guidance and supports into the hands of school staff and families.
What speakers asked for: A public statement of support for immigrant students; written, districtwide policies and protocols; training for all school staff (including substitutes and office staff); a plan to serve students who miss school because of enforcement actions (remote instruction and interventions); and translated communications for families.
What’s next: Board members asked administration to draft next steps and to return with recommended communications and training plans for board review.
