Parents, students and advocates urge Wake County board to protect immigrant students; Title IX and DEI debates continue in public comment

Dozens of community members addressed the Wake County Board of Education on Feb. 4, urging the district to shield immigrant families from immigration enforcement at schools, calling for clearer guidance and staff training, and pressing the board to protect students’ safety and privacy. The public comment period also included sharply divergent views on Title IX, transgender-student policies and DEI programs.

What speakers asked for - Strong district guidance to limit cooperation with immigration enforcement at schools and to ensure parents are present before any questioning of students. Several speakers said families are afraid to ride buses or attend school because of enforcement actions. Fernando Martinez of the Education Justice Alliance told the board the immigrant community is “confused” and “afraid” and urged the district to be “bolder” in safeguarding families. - Training for school staff and bus drivers so they can distinguish lawful court orders from other documents and avoid misleading or coercive interactions, a practical step several speakers requested. - Mental-health supports and culturally competent counseling for students who the public said are experiencing increased stress and fear; multiple parents and organizers asked the district to expand access to counselors familiar with immigrant-family needs.

Who spoke (selection) - Bailey Owens, Apex Friendship High School junior: “Every child deserves the chance to learn in an environment free from fear.” - Fernando Martinez, Education Justice Alliance: asked the board to “be bolder” and said Wake County “is one of the largest school districts… people will follow your leadership.” - Carmen Flores (interpreter reading for Martha Hernandez): described children afraid to take buses and asked the superintendent to “support the families of their students” and to keep schools free from immigration enforcement. - Dr. Edith Nieves, pediatrician: cited research on toxic stress and told the board the American Academy of Pediatrics “opposes any policies that are detrimental to the children's health and well-being.” - Jessica Guandique, parent: described family-level impacts and asked for more preventive measures and counselor attention for children affected by immigration-related stress.

Divergent views on Title IX and DEI - Some commenters urged the board to roll back the district’s July 2022 policy language that had incorporated the Department of Education’s 2022 Title IX rule changes, saying recent federal actions and court decisions require the district to revert to earlier guidance. Tammy Fitzgerald told the board the federal Office for Civil Rights is enforcing the 2020 Title IX framework and urged the district to “revise” policies accordingly. - Other speakers and public speakers defended DEI and inclusive practices as interventions that help students access instruction, including accessibility accommodations and supports for students with varied learning needs. Nicole Baldridge, a former teacher and parent, defined DEI as “what makes schools and workplaces accessible for all people” and said it includes ramp access, subtitles, and other accommodations. - Joseph Deaton, a public commenter, raised scientific and legal critiques of clinical guidance relating to gender-transition treatments for minors. His remarks were part of the wider Title IX/medical-treatment debate in public comment.

District response and context - Dr. Robert Taylor, WCPSS superintendent, told the board: “Our number one priority is to make sure that students are safe when they come to school.” He said the district has provided principals guidance on what to do if agents come to a school and reaffirmed that the district does not ask for immigration information as part of enrollment. - Taylor told the board that executive orders and federal guidance are changing rapidly and the district’s priority is to follow the law while keeping students safe. He said the district will continue to share guidance with schools and to consult legal counsel about compliance.

Next steps requested by speakers - Formal, written guidance and training for principals, bus drivers and school staff on how to respond if an immigration agent appears on campus and how to protect students’ privacy and safety. - Additional counseling and mental-health supports targeted to immigrant families and students experiencing anxiety related to enforcement actions.

Why it matters: Speakers said fear of immigration enforcement and policy uncertainty are affecting attendance, student mental health and the ability of families to participate in school life. Board members and staff acknowledged the seriousness of those concerns and requested staff follow-up, while distinguishing between district authority and what state or federal agencies may require.

Ending: The board concluded public comment and proceeded to board business. Members said they would continue to weigh legal obligations, federal guidance, and local safety concerns as the district refines any formal directives or training for school staff.