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Union members, teachers urge district action on immigration protections and trans student policy enforcement
Summary
Teachers and union members urged the board to convert the board’s spring resolution on immigrant student protections into enforceable policy and to defend transgender students amid federal Title IX scrutiny.
Union members and staff used the public comment period Tuesday to press the board to turn a spring resolution reaffirming support for immigrant students into enforceable district policy and to defend transgender students in the face of federal attention.
Shauna Nielsen, an EL teacher and member of the SPFE Immigration Defense Committee, told the board the district must start converting its resolution into clear policy and stronger staff communication. “We ask the board to partner with us by creating a joint working committee, district and union members together to develop clear protective policies and a communication plan that reaches every staff member and school,” Nielsen said.
Nicole Nolan, an SPPS teacher and member of SPFE’s LGBTQIA affinity group, presented a letter signed by more than 520 staff and community members. Nolan said federal attention — including a Title IX compliance review notice that the assistant U.S. attorney general sent to local institutions — has raised fears. The speaker and the submitted letter cited the district’s 2015 gender inclusion policy, recently updated in 2025, and urged the board to stand publicly and procedurally behind the policy and protections for transgender students.
Why it matters: Speakers said many staff had received little guidance since the federal notice and argued that ensuring student safety and clarity on staff responsibilities is not political but central to schools’ obligations. They asked for a joint working committee of district and union representatives and for clear, districtwide communication and training on existing protections and any updated policies.
Board response: Directors listened during the public comment period and did not take immediate formal action; several board members later praised the speakers and noted that staff and administration will need to follow up as part of ongoing policy and training work. The speakers requested a formal timeline for policy development and district communication.
