Residents urge district guidance on immigration enforcement and propose volunteer clothing program

Two members of the public spoke during open forum on different topics.

Evan Shank, a social studies teacher at North High School and a building representative for the Davenport Education Association, described recent federal developments and asked the board to consider guidance for district staff. Shank said Department of Homeland Security guidance that limited immigration enforcement in “sensitive locations” like schools had been rescinded and highlighted recent nationwide enforcement activity focused on Chicago. He told the board that rumors about enforcement activity have reduced attendance in other communities and said the National Education Association provides model resolutions and sample safe-zone policies for districts to consider. Shank said, “This is a national issue that may affect our local school community, even in cases where there are merely rumors that ICE is present” and added that he was not aware of any specific Davenport Community School District policy on the subject.

Naomi Brown, a freshman at Clinton High School, proposed a voluntary program she called “Dress It On” to provide donated dresses and suits to elementary and middle school students who need clothing for special events. Brown described the program as donation-based and voluntary and said she had provided a one-page summary to board members. She said the donations could be used for events such as Christmas programs and invited board members to ask questions.

Board members did not take action during the meeting on either item. Several directors thanked the speakers for their comments and suggested the presenters and board staff could follow up; one director suggested the student proposal could be routed to school staff or a counselor for local coordination.