Parent urges board to adopt model hairstyle protections and raises concerns about surprise GIPD seat-belt checks and school enforcement

Amber Harper, a Grand Island parent who said she works with statewide survivors’ services and chairs the local Grand Island Area Coalition on Trafficking, used public comment time Aug. 14 to press the board on two topics: adoption of the NDE model language on protective hairstyles and district protocols around law-enforcement interactions at schools.

On protective hairstyles she urged adoption of the model policy produced by the Nebraska Department of Education and specifically referenced LB289 and the 2023 statutory language. “Please adopt the model policy that was put out by the State Board of Education... Follow LB289 and continue to protect our students from any and all forms of harassment, bullying, and protect them in our dress code,” Harper said. She described personal experience raising children with diverse hair types and detailed practical barriers and costs associated with maintaining protective styles.

Harper then raised concerns about law-enforcement activities outside schools. She said parents reported surprise Grand Island Police Department seat-belt checks in school drop-off zones, limited signage and one incident in which an officer reached into the back of her vehicle. She also described code-enforcement officers writing parking tickets near Newell Elementary and checking window tint on vehicles during a field-day event.

Her larger concern was readiness for potential ICE enforcement actions. She noted a Nebraska Public Media report that ICE agents can make arrests at schools and asked whether the district had developed clear protocols and whether staff had met with police about those scenarios. Harper said she had emailed administrators in May raising concerns, met with police and district staff, and had not received a follow-up: “No one has followed up with me on this. I sent two emails last May, and no one has followed up. I was told you guys were gonna meet with Grand Island Police Department... and it hasn't.”

Board response and context: Board members said by rule they could only listen during public comment and could not answer questions in that moment. Superintendent Matt Fisher and staff later reported in the meeting that the district has an “extensive plan for, anytime with immigration” and that staff know protocols for supporting students and families; Dr. Stevens said staff and partners had made outreach calls and visits to encourage summer-program participation.

Why it matters: Harper framed the issues as both equity (dress-code protections for students of color) and community trust (how enforcement actions are communicated to families). The public comment requested clearer policy adoption for hairstyle protections and clearer, public protocols for law enforcement interactions at school properties.

Next steps: Harper requested the board adopt the model policy language and asked for explicit district guidance and communication about law-enforcement interactions on school premises. The transcript records her request and the administration’s later verbal summary that protocols exist; the transcript also records no specific, detailed follow-up timeline or formal action directed in the meeting minutes.

Ending: Harper concluded by asking the board to “use your own power and privilege to think ahead” and develop protocols and communications that reassure families and protect students; board and staff said they would continue work on policy and outreach.