Community urges Pinellas schools to adopt safe‑zone protections as legal counsel explains federal limits

Multiple community speakers and the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association asked the Pinellas County School Board on Jan. 28 to adopt a safe‑zone resolution to reassure families after recent federal immigration enforcement guidance and national headlines.

"It is the right of every child, regardless of immigration status, to access a free public K‑12 education," Lee Bryant, president of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, told the board. He said he emailed a model safe‑zone resolution to board members and described it as closely tied to the U.S. Supreme Court precedent Plyler v. Doe. Bryant said the resolution would contain reassurances for students, procedures for law enforcement and information for families and staff and would not, on its face, require additional district spending.

Several other speakers described fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities and asked for clearer district guidance, including retired district employee Cynthia Record, who said teachers were asking questions about what would happen if immigration authorities came to schools. Brent Robinson, a longtime history teacher, urged regular, clear communication from the superintendent and board to reassure families.

Board legal counsel Peter Kuperski responded to the concerns and outlined the district—s position: federal statutes and enforcement authority for immigration agencies have long existed, the district does not collect students' immigration status and principals should contact the legal office if enforcement activity occurs on campus. "If we do, we have asked that our school administration contact the legal department," Kuperski said, adding that district staff will help walk principals through any response while following federal and state law.

Superintendent Hendrick said the district was monitoring the developing situation and would continue to provide updates. The board did not take a formal vote on a safe‑zone resolution during the meeting; members and advocates indicated interest in further discussion.

Why it matters

Advocates say a local safe‑zone resolution signals district commitment to protecting children's access to education and can provide procedures to guide staff and families when enforcement activity occurs. Legal counsel emphasized the district's obligations under federal law and directed administrators to seek legal guidance if incidents arise.

Proposed authority references

- Court case: Plyler v. Doe (U.S. Supreme Court precedent cited by advocates). - Department memorandum: recent federal notice/memo about pauses to some grants and federal actions discussed separately in the superintendent—s report (district said DOE instructed districts to continue operating under grant budgets).