Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Rights Immigration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bend‑LaPine board adopts resolution affirming rights of undocumented students and ICE protocols
Summary
The board approved Resolution 1982 to clarify district protocols on information disclosure, requests from immigration authorities, and training for staff; vote was 5–0.
The Bend‑LaPine School Board on Jan. 14 adopted Resolution 1982, which affirms the district's commitment to protecting undocumented students and sets protocols for responses to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requests on school property. The resolution passed unanimously, 5–0.
Director Pina Chadwick read the resolution aloud during the meeting. The document affirms that the district will, to the maximum extent permitted by law, prohibit disclosure of student educational information—including immigration status—without parent or guardian consent and will direct legal requests for staff or student records or property access to the superintendent's office for review. It also authorizes the superintendent or legal counsel to ask ICE agents for credentials, the purpose of access, and the legal basis for the request.
The resolution specifies that the district will provide information about rights and protections to families who may be affected and will provide training and guidance to school staff about responding to requests by immigration personnel. It states the district will provide access or assist ICE only when legally required to do so, including when presented with a valid court order for access beyond front office areas or for removal of a staff member or student.
Why it matters: the resolution codifies procedures the district will follow when federal immigration agents seek records or access and clarifies staff responsibilities in those circumstances.
Board action - Motion: "I move to approve resolution 1982 to affirm rights of undocumented students and protocols for immigration and customs enforcement, ICE, access to schools." (mover: Director Cameron Fisher; seconder: Director Shirley Olsen). - Vote: 5 in favor, 0 opposed.
Authorities and legal references During the reading, the resolution text cited Oregon statutes as the legal context for the district's approach (as read aloud in the meeting). The resolution references state law language prohibiting the use of public resources for immigration enforcement and protections for educational records; the resolution instructs staff to apply state and federal legal requirements when responding to requests.
Implementation and next steps The resolution directs legal requests to the superintendent's office, authorizes superintendent or counsel to verify credentials and legal authority of agents, and tasks the district with training staff on how to respond. The resolution also directs the district to provide information and assistance to families potentially impacted by enforcement actions.
Ending The board adopted Resolution 1982 unanimously at the Jan. 14 meeting. District staff said training and implementation procedures will be developed and provided to school personnel.
