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Superintendent issues guidance to staff on immigration‑enforcement contacts, citing FERPA and board policies
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Lori Putnam told the board she will provide district leaders written guidance on how to respond if immigration officials appear on district property; the memorandum cites Board Policies 519 and 903, federal and state privacy laws and says student information will not be disclosed absent lawful court orders.
St. Cloud Area School District Superintendent Dr. Lori Putnam on Jan. 22 told the school board she will issue a memorandum to district leaders clarifying how schools should respond if immigration or customs enforcement agents appear on district property.
Putnam said the district’s mission requires a safe, caring climate for all students and that she will direct district staff to follow Board Policy 519 (interviews of students by outside agencies) and Board Policy 903 (visitors to district buildings and sites). She told the board the district will protect students and families to the fullest extent allowed by law and will not disclose private student information or allow access to students absent valid legal authority.
Putnam cited federal privacy protections and Minnesota data practices: when the district is legally required to provide information or access based on a court order or other valid legal authority, staff will take available legal steps to provide proper notice to parents consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. She said district leaders and family advocates will meet to review protocols and answer questions; the memorandum will be distributed to staff and families.
Board members expressed support. Putnam said the guidance will be shared with district leaders and family advocates the next day and with staff and families thereafter.
Why it matters: The guidance clarifies how district staff should balance legal obligations with family privacy concerns in the event of immigration‑enforcement activity on school property and signals the district’s intent to limit student disclosure absent lawful compulsion.
