Beaverton board discusses urgent ICE activity; motion withdrawn in favor of a staff-led update
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Summary
Directors debated adding an immediate agenda item on local ICE activity and supports for affected students; after members raised concerns about asking staff to present on short notice, Director Kassem withdrew the motion and Superintendent Balderas offered to coordinate a prompt update and to revisit a prior resolution.
Director Kassem moved to add an item "requesting the district to provide a timely update on the ongoing assault by ICE in our communities and how the district is supporting students and families impacted." The motion was seconded and prompted an extended discussion about timing, staff readiness and community anxiety.
Several board members said the topic is urgent but cautioned against putting staff on the spot without a prepared presentation. Director Potter said she "didn't want to put the staff on the spot" and suggested a work session to ensure information is "safe and accurate and thoughtfully prepared." Dr. Carpenter said she wanted to "hear the state of what we are doing right now" but agreed staff may need time to assemble reliable data.
After listening to colleagues, Director Kassem offered to withdraw the motion "with the expectation that we would do the due diligence" and get a substantive update quickly. Superintendent Balderas told the board a prior resolution supporting immigrant students exists and said he would work with district leadership to revise that resolution if needed and to provide an update—possibly over Zoom—before the next monthly meeting.
The board did not formally adopt new language or a resolution at the meeting. Instead, members asked staff for a timely, vetted report on current district supports, safety protocols, and communication plans for families affected by immigration enforcement.
