Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Immigration Support topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Framingham superintendent pledges outreach and staff training to address immigrant families’ fears
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Tremblay told the school committee he will send a district statement, post the city’s welcoming‑ordinance language on the district website, and organize staff training so school staff know what they can and cannot say if immigration officials approach schools.
Framingham Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas Tremblay told the school committee on Nov. 20 that he will increase district communications and staff training to address anxiety among immigrant students and families following the recent federal election.
“I will work on a communication. I’ll have some prominent presence on the website with this communication,” Tremblay said, adding the district will use language from the city’s welcoming ordinance and will provide training for principals and front‑office staff on what they may and may not say under current law.
Tremblay described contacts with state leaders. “The state representative, Priscilla Sousa, has reached out both to the chair and myself, and we’ve been meeting already in the books to see how our state legislature can also be helpful,” he said. He also noted other districts have taken formal stances and offered the Chicago Board of Education’s unanimous resolution as an example of a school system expressing solidarity with students and staff.
Committee members urged written outreach to families beyond the meeting broadcast. “We have a very limited number of people that watch this… I’m wondering if you can make a statement and send that out to families so that families are receiving your message,” said member Tiffany Maskell.
Members also asked that the district make its obligations and limits easy to find online. Member Adam Freudberg recommended mirroring the city’s ordinance language on the district website and ensuring principals and secretaries know the rules at building entrances. Tremblay agreed: “I’ll use the specific language from the welcoming ordinance… and make sure we have training… to know if they encounter situations where someone shows up at their doorstep what they can and cannot say pursuant to the law as it stands now.”
Tremblay said he will also ensure resources and support are available to students and families who need additional help and offered to be available for personal conversations with concerned families.
The committee asked administration to report back on the communications plan and training schedule.
