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Public commenter asks board for source of claim that 950 students didn't return due to ICE threats
Summary
During audience for guests, a resident requested the source for a figure Vice President Brady reportedly cited that 950 students did not return because of ICE threats; the presiding officer did not provide a source in open session.
Two members of the public addressed the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD board on Jan. 8. Rahidia Barmel offered thanks to the board for district support. Nicholas Arnelas raised a challenge about a previously cited figure, asking the board to provide the source for an assertion that 950 students did not return to the district because of threats from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Arnelas said he had emailed the board earlier and asked Vice President Kim Brady to provide the data source during the meeting or by email. He said, "You said that due to the threat of ICE, 950 students did not return to the district... Can anybody give me that answer?" The presiding officer reminded the speaker of time, and Arnelas's opportunity ended when the timer expired; no source was produced in open session during his comments.
The board did not adjudicate the claim during public comment; the matter was not resolved or addressed further on the record that evening. The board's public procedures and grievance process were read aloud at the start of the meeting, and the president noted that speakers who wish the board to take action on a complaint should use the district's formal grievance policy.
Because the claim concerns district enrollment drivers and was raised without an on-the-record source provided during the meeting, reporters seeking verification should ask district staff whether the 950 figure is supported by district enrollment analyses or other documentation.
