Parents press Parkrose board for clearer protocols after nearby immigration-enforcement incidents
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Summary
A parent group reported a drop in school drop-off attendance and urged Parkrose SD 3 to publish clear, translated protocols and designate contacts for families concerned about immigration-enforcement activity near campuses; the superintendent described FERPA and campus-security steps and committed to continued dialogue.
Members of a parent group that conducts morning drop-off patrols told the Parkrose SD 3 board on Jan. 12 that increased immigration-enforcement activity in their communities has made many families afraid to bring children to school. Sarah Courtney and other parent-group representatives said they had been distributing Know-Your-Rights materials and asked the district to issue clearer, translated communications and to identify point people at the district and each school.
"We are concerned about the impact on our families and want to know how the district is ensuring that these students are getting full access to their education," a parent representative said during public comment. The group asked for specific, tangible guidance — for example, what parents should do if they observe immigration-enforcement activity at drop-off, who to contact at the school, and how the district will handle confirmed enforcement near campuses.
Superintendent (Unidentified Speaker 10) acknowledged the incidents and described the district’s operational protocols: campuses would be secured during verified law-enforcement activity; staff have been instructed to direct federal inquiries to the district office; and student information is protected by FERPA. He said the district’s communication system (ParentSquare) can send urgent, translated alerts to families and that staff will review the parent group’s written recommendations. He also warned about legal limits on what the district can direct staff and volunteers to do during law-enforcement actions.
The board did not change policy at the meeting but the superintendent pledged to read the group’s written submission, continue discussions with regional partners, and clarify communications and contact points for families. Community members asked for paper translations of the district attachment and for a designated hotline or contact person to coordinate with community groups in real time.