Board attorney says existing warrant procedure governs ICE visits; no new policy drafted
Summary
Hazleton Area SD's attorney told the board the district will rely on existing procedures that require an appropriate warrant before law enforcement or immigration officials may enter district buildings; staff will not draft a new policy immediately.
The Hazleton Area School District will continue to rely on its existing procedure requiring an appropriate warrant before allowing law enforcement or federal immigration authorities to enter school buildings, the district attorney told the board.
A board member asked whether the district had a policy to address possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) visits. Attorney Schlesser said the administration planned to follow the current procedure: officials must present an appropriate warrant before being allowed access. In the specific case of ICE, Schlesser said a federal warrant would be required.
"If they don't [provide a warrant], then we keep them out," Schlesser said in the meeting record. He added the decision at that point was to continue with the existing procedure rather than adopt a separate written policy because the board did not have sufficient time to prepare a new policy.
The board recorded the attorney's guidance on the floor and did not adopt a new written policy during the meeting. The exchange occurred during the section of the agenda addressing security and procedures.
Ending District counsel told the board the existing warrant-based procedure will remain in effect for visits by law enforcement or immigration officials; the board did not adopt a new standalone policy during the meeting.
