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District outlines procedures for immigration‑related inquiries, declines broad district‑level statement; principals to lead family outreach
Summary
Superintendent Wendy Dow briefed the board Jan. 28 on district guidance and communications related to immigration enforcement and school privacy.
Superintendent Wendy Dow briefed the board Jan. 28 on district guidance and communications related to immigration enforcement and school safety.
Dow said the district has circulated a written procedure to principals and front‑office staff explaining what to do if law enforcement seeks student information or access. “We do not share any personal information, particularly immigration status with anyone, nor do we collect that information on students,” she said, adding that the district shares student information only with parents or guardians and with child‑welfare agencies when required.
Dow told the board that, if immigration authorities come seeking access, they would need a warrant issued by a judge — not a warrant issued solely by Immigration and Customs Enforcement — and district staff must verify legitimacy and follow a vetting process. She said there have been no incidents in Utah of ICE entering a school and that the district has not experienced ICE school entries.
Board members asked for clear public messaging. Several members recommended routing communications through principals because families are more likely to respond to someone they know. The board discussed the Raptor visitor‑management system and asked staff to confirm whether Raptor stores visitor data; district staff said they believe Raptor does not retain immigration‑status information and that they will confirm details with Jason Garrison and report back.
The board agreed to post a general statement on the district website and to encourage principals to communicate the guidance to families. Staff and board members emphasized that the message should direct families to principals and student‑services staff for help and language assistance rather than rely on a single mass district email.
No formal policy change or vote was recorded in the study session; staff described the plan to publish materials and to continue staff reminders to employees.
