Superintendent addresses safety amid immigration enforcement; six policy updates brought forward
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Summary
Superintendent Julie Nielsen read a message to families about increased immigration enforcement activity and the district's visitor/volunteer and secured-entry procedures; the superintendent also presented six policy updates (minor edits, one title change, two recommended deletions, and a technical update to debt compliance) to be presented to the board for a vote at the next meeting.
Superintendent Julie Nielsen told the school board she sent a district-wide letter to families about heightened immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota and steps the district is taking to keep students safe.
Nielsen said the district cannot control what happens outside school buildings but emphasized that safety within schools is a top priority. She described existing visitor and volunteer screening procedures and secured entryways that restrict adults from student learning spaces unless they have a valid educational reason.
"We will continue to implement our visitor and volunteer procedures in all schools," Nielsen said, and added that district leaders have reviewed protocols with principals and office staff. She emphasized that "all of our students belong here" and that the district will take steps to care for students while they are under district oversight.
Policy updates
Nielsen also presented six proposed policy updates for review: one policy in the 100 series (104, school district mission statement) with no changes recommended; 716 (employee recognition) with a proposed monetary/statutory update; 718 (district credit card program) with a staff title change (to reflect Chris Blackburn's title); recommendations to delete Policy 719 (authorization to solicit bids) and Policy 721 (nutrition services practices) because state statute or MSBA policy addresses those topics; and Policy 730 (post-issuance debt compliance) with an update to section 3. The board heard the proposals and the superintendent said the items will come forward for a vote at the next meeting.
Why it matters
The superintendent's letter and in-meeting statement aimed to provide reassurance to families concerned about immigration enforcement activity and to reiterate procedures intended to protect students and learning environments. The proposed policy changes are primarily administrative and procedural; the district plans to return them for board action at the next meeting.
No formal action was taken on the policy items at this meeting; they were presented for discussion and will be on the next meeting's agenda for a vote.