Parents and staff press ISD 728 for clearer safety communications; paraprofessionals urge support
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Summary
Four public commenters told the board they were alarmed by reports of masked federal agents near schools and asked for immediate lockdown/notification protocols; a veteran paraprofessional described day-to-day duties and urged continued summer unemployment benefits to retain staff.
At the public-comment portion of the Jan. 12 meeting, four speakers urged the board to take clearer steps on student safety and staffing.
Janine Rudnitsky, a Meadowvale parent, said she was “disappointed” in what she called delayed district communication after reports of masked, armed federal agents near schools. Rudnitsky asked the district to immediately place schools in lockdown and notify parents if Department of Homeland Security or Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are spotted near schools, and she urged trauma-informed follow-up supports for students and staff after any such incident.
Jessica Woodcock, an Elk River resident and parent, pressed the board to meet with her to discuss detailed safety steps, saying the district is living in "unprecedented times" and asking whether any board member would speak with her after the meeting to plan protections for students and staff. The board’s stated policy prevented an on-the-spot exchange during public comment; the superintendent offered to schedule a follow-up meeting by email.
Superintendent Olmos (as identified in the transcript) responded in the superintendent’s report that administrators had prepared a frequently asked questions document about ICE in the community and were taking reports seriously, but that they had not received confirmed reports of ICE entering school buildings. He said building leaders have guidance and that the district would implement secure-mode procedures, lockdowns or evacuations as appropriate based on the actual impact to a school.
Kristen Scott, a 21-year special-education paraprofessional at Rogers High School and president of the union local representing paraprofessionals, described daily paraprofessional duties — from feeding and toileting students to supporting lessons and tracking special-education documentation — and said paraprofessionals are often understaffed and underpaid. Scott said the availability of summer unemployment benefits (enabled by a state law enacted May 28, 2023) helps retain paraprofessionals and urged the board to recognize the importance of those benefits in staffing and program continuity.
Sally Anton, a Rogers High parent, criticized board members she characterized as having previously blocked a moment of silence and said parents feel the district has not led on safety. Anton said she was "disgusted" by what she described as partisan behavior and urged greater parental notice when threats or incidents occur.
The board did not take formal action in response to public comment during that session; the superintendent noted he would meet with administrators and that the district has procedures to use secure mode or lockdown when warranted.