CPS says schools are trained and ready if immigration enforcement appears on campuses
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Summary
Superintendent Murphy and General Counsel Dan Hoang told the Feb. 9 board the district has trained principals, front-office staff and counselors on protocols for any immigration-enforcement presence and reiterated that families do not have to prove immigration status to enroll.
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Public Schools leaders told the Board of Education on Feb. 9 they have prepared principals and front-line staff for the possibility of immigration-enforcement activity and are coordinating with city officials.
Superintendent Murphy said he had spoken with the city manager and police chief and that district and city officials "agreed and promised one another to stay in contact and communication about anything that we may know or any hint that may be given to us." He asked General Counsel Dan Hoang to outline training and procedures.
Hoang said the district has run training sessions for principals, assistant principals and front office clerks; school social workers, psychologists and counselors who work closely with immigrant and refugee families have also received guidance. "Unlike other aspects, Cincinnati Public Schools educates all children in Cincinnati, including our immigrant and refugee families," Hoang said. "That's the law." He added that CPS has not observed immigration enforcement on its campuses but that principals should contact the general counsel's office "if there's any doubt" about an individual presenting as an authority.
Board members praised the clarity of the district's communication and pressed for ongoing training frequency and retention of records about prior training sessions. Vice President Moffett warned that state legislation under consideration — referenced by board members as House Bill 42 and Senate Bill 172 during the meeting — could change legal access to schools and urged continued monitoring.
The board did not take formal action but asked administration to continue updating the board and to provide data on training cadence and any incidents.