New Rochelle board affirms district as welcoming for all students; superintendent reiterates FERPA protections

The City School District of New Rochelle Board of Education passed a resolution at its Feb. 10, 2025 public meeting affirming the district as a welcoming place for all students and restating protections for student information and access by outside agencies.

Dr. Corey Reynolds, superintendent, told the room that “the City School District of New Rochelle schools do not collect information on students' immigration status or the immigration status of their parents or guardians.” He added that federal and state privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), “strictly prohibit us from sharing student personal information without parental consent.” Reynolds said law enforcement officers will not be granted access to non-public areas of schools, students, or student records without a signed judicial warrant, court order, or valid subpoena that has been reviewed by the superintendent and district counsel; he also said district employees will receive guidance on how to respond if agencies such as DHS or ICE visit a building.

In presenting the resolution the board president described it as a reaffirmation of the district’s mission and equity vision and said it is intended to protect student access to public education regardless of immigration status. The resolution text as described in the meeting commits the district to (1) maintaining schools as safe and welcoming environments, (2) protecting student information consistent with FERPA and applicable state law, (3) providing staff guidance in the event of outside enforcement inquiries, and (4) connecting families to legal and community resources.

Trustees spoke in favor of the resolution. Trustee Brooks said she hoped the resolution would help ensure “not one child will miss one day of school of that education that they are entitled to under the law.” Trustee Ross and others echoed support and emphasized the district will continue to follow federal and state privacy rules.

Public comment included supportive remarks and a separate comment raising a different policy concern. Emma Silva, identified as a district employee and community member, spoke in favor of the welcoming resolution and urged the board to protect students from disruption and discrimination. A member of the public, Vincent Malfitano, asked whether the district follows state guidance concerning students’ requests for changes to name or gender markers without parental notification; he pressed for a direct answer about whether the district would ever withhold that information from a parent. The district did not issue an immediate policy change on that question during public comment; Dr. Reynolds responded in general terms that such matters are handled on a case-by-case basis and emphasized the district must follow applicable laws and administrative procedures.

Authorities referenced in the discussion included the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the U.S. Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe affirming the right to public education, and recent statements and guidance from the New York State Education Department cited by the superintendent.

The resolution was part of the meeting’s agenda and was approved through the general consent agenda vote recorded later in the meeting, when the board approved general resolutions 25-266 through 25-280 by voice vote.