McMinnville schools outline response as federal immigration guidance shifts; district urges calm, boosts outreach

McMinnville School District officials briefed the school board on Jan. 27 about federal changes to immigration enforcement and the district’s immediate plans to protect students and families, emphasizing legal limits on information sharing and steps to shore up communication and supports.

The update, delivered by Director Courtney Forua, outlined the legal baseline: the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe guarantees access to public education regardless of immigration status, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulates disclosure of student records. Forua told the board that those laws — and the district’s existing law-enforcement cooperation policy — remain the controlling authorities as the district responds to rapidly changing federal directives.

District leaders said the immediate priority is reducing fear that is causing some families to keep children home while preserving the district’s obligations under state and federal law. “All children, regardless of immigration status, had a right to public education, Plyler v. Doe,” Director Courtney Forua told the board. Forua said the district does not collect students’ immigration status and is training administrators and office staff on when and how the district may respond to law-enforcement requests.

School officials described several near-term actions. They will: - Remind building staff of existing law-enforcement cooperation policy requirements and provide scripted language and guidance for administrators and secretaries; - Encourage families to expand emergency contact lists so schools have multiple approved adults who can pick up students; - Direct families seeking legal information to community partners such as Lutheran Community Services and to the district family resource coordinator; - Work with regional districts and state organizations (ODE/OSBA) to assemble a communication toolkit and consistent messaging; - Meet with local law enforcement and the county sheriff to clarify local practices and alignment.

Superintendent Dr. Brockett said the district will be cautious with written communications so that messages are accurate and do not give “false security,” but pledged to copy the board on every communication to staff or families. “We will always honor our policies,” Brockett said, adding that the district is using legal counsel when needed before releasing written guidance.

Board members raised concerns about how messages were distributed earlier in the week — one board member said a message went only to Spanish-speaking families via ParentSquare, and other members urged the district to reach families through multiple channels, including translated web pages, building flyers, mailed notices and direct phone or text contacts where possible. Officials acknowledged a miscommunication on a Thursday notice and said they had remedied distribution so future updates go to all families.

District staff also reported daily attendance monitoring to detect any early signs of families keeping students at home; current counts were reviewed but staff said they had not yet seen a large, sustained drop in attendance districtwide. Administrators said they are prepared to support families who request temporary online learning options while also continuing to encourage in-person attendance.

Officials said they are coordinating regionally and will make additional resources — translated materials, a scripted message for front-office staff, and links to state FAQs — available to families and staff as they are cleared by legal review. District leaders asked board members and community members to forward rumors so communications staff can quickly verify and respond.

Next steps listed by the district include finalizing the staff scripts and toolkit, meeting with the county sheriff, and publishing parent-facing materials in multiple languages and formats. District staff said trainings with building leaders are already under way and that regional, online “Know Your Rights” presentations are being shared rather than in-person gatherings to reduce safety concerns.