Residents urge BVSD to form task force to protect immigrant students, citing state bill

Two community members urged the Boulder Valley School District on Nov. 18 to create a districtwide plan and a community task force aimed at protecting immigrant students and families.

Richard Garcia told the board he was asking the district to "work with the community and create what I'm calling a protect our immigrant students and families task force," citing "senate bill 25 2 76" and urging protocols that would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement to show a judicial warrant before accessing nonpublic school areas. "The task force should include parents, community members, law enforcement, school officials, DA staff, school board members, etc.," he said.

Teresa (Terry) Garcia, a former bilingual teacher, asked the board to develop "a strategic plan that safeguards its immigrant students and effectively communicate this plan to their families," emphasizing that principals and teachers must be prepared and that a written, public plan is more than the existing, internal protocol. "The students need to know that there is a plan to protect them," she said.

Board members thanked the speakers and noted the request for further discussion; the transcript records no formal action or commitment to create the task force during the meeting. Board member Melania Quinlanoweta later asked staff to place consideration of SB 25276 and immigrant-protection measures on a future agenda for board prioritization.

Next steps: members requested adding SB 25276 and related immigrant-protection planning to future agenda setting for further board consideration.