Superintendent: DPSCD enrollment up slightly; staff vacancies remain and four students detained by ICE, district to seek release
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Beatty reported enrollment at 49,777 and identified staffing vacancies across several special-education and support roles. He said four district students were recently detained by ICE and that the district will submit a letter demanding release and coordinate supports for affected families.
Superintendent Dr. Beatty used the Dec. 9 board meeting to recognize new teachers and present the district's midyear metrics and operational updates, including enrollment, staffing levels and student supports. He said the district's current enrollment is 49,777 — an increase from an FTE of 49,006 — and reported average daily attendance around 85 percent. The superintendent said the district is "trending" in the right direction for several Blueprint 2027 targets but noted chronic absenteeism remains a concern.
Dr. Beatty listed vacancies across roles the district tracks: 26 teacher vacancies, 2 assistant principal vacancies, multiple counselor and academic-interventionist vacancies, as well as openings among occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech-language pathologists. He said the district relies on a mix of full-time and contracted staff to address some gaps and noted plans to reduce reliance on contractors where feasible.
On a central matter of community concern, Dr. Beatty told the board that four students had been detained by ICE. He said the district will submit a letter seeking the release of students the district is aware of and will work with community organizations to support the families. "We will be submitting a letter, in order for the release of the students that we are aware of that have been detained," he said during the report. Board members and public speakers asked the administration to make the district's response public and to explore legal options.
Financial health: the superintendent said the emergency loan is on schedule to be repaid in September 2026 and that the district's cash position remains healthy after October receipts and final Ballmer payments related to summer school. The superintendent highlighted that staff engagement survey results have improved and that the district reached a milestone in developing teachers through its On the Rise Academy.
What happens next: Dr. Beatty said the district will continue to work with community partners and provide supports through health hubs and mental-health services over the winter break; the board voted to accept the superintendent's report.
Representative quote: "Four of our students had been detained by ICE," Dr. Beatty said. "We will be submitting a letter, in order for the release of the students that we are aware of that have been detained."
