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Residents urge PCCS to protect immigrant and transgender students after national incidents

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board of Education · January 14, 2026
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Summary

Multiple public commenters called on the district to adopt immediate protections for immigrant students in light of recent ICE actions and to reinforce support for transgender students facing proposed federal restrictions; speakers asked for districtwide protocols, staff training, and clear communications to families.

During the citizens‑comment periods, several residents raised urgent safety and civil‑rights concerns tied to national events.

Heather Gattney asked the district to confirm that school‑level training on anti‑harassment, bullying and transgender/gender‑nonconforming student policy had occurred and requested follow‑up assessments to ensure implementation across staff. She also urged the district to prepare protocols in case of ICE enforcement at schools and to consider organizing community protective teams.

Nancy Farber (Western Wayne Indivisible, PFLAG) and Michelle Mustakas described recent ICE actions in Minnesota they characterized as alarming and urged immediate local measures to keep schools safe, including protected zones around drop‑off/pick‑up points, staff training on appropriate responses to federal agents, and public reassurance for immigrant families.

Laurie Mears (PFLAG) warned that recent Department of Health and Human Services proposals could significantly limit gender‑affirming care and potentially conflict with Michigan civil‑rights protections. She urged the board to support transgender students and ensure district policy 5517.03 is enforced.

Rachel Hayes (PFLAG) emphasized the need for consistent board and administrative support for vulnerable student populations and called for transparent, accountable implementation of policies.

The board and administration acknowledged the concerns. District staff said they had provided administrative training to building leaders and front‑office staff on how to handle visits by federal agents (warrants vs. no‑warrant scenarios), had legal review on procedures, and would continue coordinating with law enforcement and legal counsel. No new policy changes were voted at the meeting; administration indicated policy revisions are a longer process and that the district would follow up with individuals who spoke.