District safety working group outlines ICE protocol distribution and new license-plate reader funding; union urges reassurance for staff and families
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Summary
District administrators reported that ICE-related protocols were distributed to administrative and teaching staff and that the district is proceeding with partially funded license-plate-reader purchases for campus security.
District administrators told the Valley View board on Oct. 20 that a staff safety working group had reviewed district protocols for interaction with immigration enforcement and that the district had distributed those protocols to administrators and building-level staff.
Superintendent Dr. Woods told the board that representatives from the Bolingbrook Police Department told district staff they are not working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and that, in the police department's words reported by Dr. Woods, they will "do what's within the law" and asked community members to call the police if they need assistance. Dr. Woods said the district had distributed the ICE-related protocols via email to administrative staff, teachers and others in the district.
Dr. Woods also reported investments in license-plate readers for campus parking lots; district staff said funding for the readers is partially covered by sources outside the school budget. The administration described the readers as a security tool that will, for example, help alert staff if a vehicle subject to an order of protection appears on campus.
Union representatives and community leaders used public-comment time and a union liaison report to urge continued focus on safety and to ask the district to maintain resources for families. A speaker identified as a union leader (Mr. Ploger) said many students and staff are afraid and urged the district to remain a safe place for all children; the district said it has placed "know your rights" cards in front offices and is planning family workshops. Maria Raises, president of Valley View office personnel, similarly praised district leaders' recognition of a principal’s story and called attention to community concerns about immigration and safety.
The board did not take a formal vote on new policy at the Oct. 20 meeting; the items reported were informational and procedural updates and the license-plate reader funding was described as a partially funded purchase rather than an approved contract requiring board action at this meeting.