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Durham School Board unanimously affirms student safety, privacy regardless of immigration status
Summary
The Durham Public Schools board unanimously approved a resolution reaffirming that schools remain welcoming safe spaces for all students and restricting district staff from inquiring into immigration status; the board added legal safeguards limiting access by immigration authorities and directed training and family resources.
The Durham Public Schools Board of Education on Nov. 20 unanimously approved a resolution affirming the district’s commitment to student safety and privacy regardless of immigration status.
Board member Emily Chavez introduced the late‑filed resolution and the board read the text aloud before debating several amendments. The resolution directs that any request by immigration authorities to access school property be forwarded to the superintendent and the board’s legal counsel for review and limits access to school property by immigration officials absent a duly issued and signed judicial order. It also instructs district staff not to inquire about a student’s or parent’s immigration status, requires staff training on the district’s protocols, and directs translation of communications into families’ primary languages.
“I think it’s clear that it’s the time we’re all feeling the urgency to be responsive,” Chavez said when she moved the resolution after incorporating edits from colleagues. The board debated whether the resolution should require that the text be physically posted in schools; some members favored a mandatory posting to give families clarity while others urged flexibility so school leaders could determine the safest way to share the statement.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Lewis described the week as “challenging and a very heavy week for many of our community members” and said district staff have worked to support students who were fearful and had lower attendance. Dr. Lewis told the board the district will continue to provide supports so families know their children are safe at school.
The board amended the resolution language to clarify that judicial access must be supported by a duly issued and signed order (the board’s legal counsel suggested language to avoid confusion) and to change one posting requirement from “shall” to “may” to give administrators flexibility. With those edits, the board voted by voice and approved the resolution 6–0.
What happens next: the district will post the resolution (where school leaders determine is safest), translate communications for families, provide staff training on protocols for handling requests from immigration authorities and review bullying policies for potential strengthening. The resolution text cites the U.S. Supreme Court decision recognizing a right to public education and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as the privacy framework for student records.
Board action recorded: motion to approve the resolution as amended (moved by Emily Chavez; seconded); vote 6–0 in favor.
The board proceeded with other business after the vote; the meeting later went into closed session.
