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Mount Diablo superintendent details protocols to protect immigrant and LGBTQ students after community concerns
Summary
Superintendent Clark and community groups described existing school-site and district protocols, outreach plans and local legal resources to address immigrant-family concerns; the district said officials and principals are prepared to direct external enforcement agents to district office review rather than classroom contact.
Mount Diablo Unified Superintendent Doctor Clark told the school board on Wednesday that existing district and site protocols require outside agents seeking students or student records to be directed to the district office for review, and he described outreach the district is conducting to reassure families worried about immigration enforcement.
Why it matters: Several public commenters and employees told the board they are worried about the safety and stability of students whose families may face immigration enforcement. District leaders said they already have policies and site procedures intended to keep such matters out of classrooms and to coordinate legal resources for families.
What the district said Superintendent Clark said district protocol requires anyone asking for a child or student records at a school to be referred to the district office, where legal counsel or other designated staff will examine documentation. “If they do show up and ask for that, then our protocol is not to walk them down to the class to the student and turn the student over,” Clark said. He said site office staff and principals have the most trust from families and may hold informational meetings at sites rather than centralized events to answer questions.
Community requests and union resources Several speakers urged stronger communication and formal guidance. Brett Haupt, a Sequoia Middle School teacher, told the board he has received student questions about family separation and asked the board and superintendent for a “strong and coherent statement” and guidance for staff. The Mount Diablo Education Association (MEDEA) told the board it has compiled resources for educators and requested a parent informational meeting; the union said it is working from California Attorney General guidance and other legal resources.
Legal resources offered The district said it has hosted or coordinated meetings with local public-defender offices and community groups; Clark said he met with about 30 students and a Contra Costa County public defender to share guidance, answer student questions and distribute resource cards. The district published a recurring entry for such resources in its weekly “Friday letter,” Clark said, and encouraged families to consult standtogethercontracosta.org, which board members and staff cited as a local resource.
What the board approved or discussed Board members and Superintendent Clark reminded the public that the district earlier adopted a “safe haven” resolution (2017) that is posted in district policy, and they said they would not permit enforcement actions that bypass district protocols. Trustees urged parents to rely on principals and district communications rather than social media. No new board policy was adopted at the meeting specifically for immigration enforcement; the board discussed local outreach and existing protocols and said principals and site teams were prepared to hold parent meetings where appropriate.
Ending Superintendent Clark urged families to create household contingency plans and said the district will continue to share legal resources and site-level meetings to help families and students with questions and planning.
