The Parkrose superintendent told the school board on Oct. 27 that the district will continue to provide "Know Your Rights" trainings and make legal-rights resources available to families, while warning that the district cannot lawfully instruct employees to interfere with federal immigration enforcement.

Context and district position: The superintendent described multiple, region-wide reports of immigration-enforcement activity and said some community members and staff feel heightened fear. The district is coordinating with regional partners including Latino Network and city council representatives and is making resource cards and training available through family-facing channels and partner organizations. The district clarified it will not advise staff to interfere with enforcement activity because doing so may subject employees and the district to legal risk.

Why it matters: Families raised concerns about safety, attendance and the ability to hold community events. The district said it will prioritize information (one-page legal-rights materials available in front offices), promote partner-run Know Your Rights trainings and work with local nonprofits to support families while noting the limitations of district authority outside school sites.

District steps: Staff will (1) publish Know Your Rights and resource information to families, (2) host or highlight partner trainings (the Oregon Justice Resource Center and Latino Network were cited), (3) increase front-office verification and check-in practices for school visitors, and (4) coordinate with other area superintendents and city officials.

Quote: "We want families to know what they can do and what they can say," the superintendent said, adding the district must weigh liability risks before advising staff to act during an enforcement event.

Ending: Student representatives and community members expressed gratitude for trainings and urged continued coordination and communication; the superintendent pledged follow-up regional meetings.