Resident raises concerns about ICE activity near bus stops; superintendent outlines district protocols

Christian Tilly, a resident and retired Washington Township Public Schools teacher, told the board during public comment that he was concerned by recent immigration-enforcement activity in neighboring towns and described an incident he said sent fourth- and fifth-graders into panic at bus stops when armed immigration agents entered an apartment complex. He asked whether the district and superintendent had coordinated with the county superintendent and whether there are plans to monitor bus stops or otherwise protect students and drivers.

Superintendent Dr. Hibbs responded that the district had communicated with staff and families and coordinated with the executive county superintendent, and that detailed guidance from the New Jersey Department of Education informed local plans. She said administrators prepared quick-reference guides for staff, trained principals and transportation personnel, and conducted a compliance crosswalk against the state guidance. “No one will ever get into our buildings without a judicially signed warrant,” Dr. Hibbs said, adding that the district must comply if federal agents present proper legal documentation and that staff are trained to escalate such requests through district security leadership and the superintendent’s office.

Dr. Hibbs acknowledged practical limits: the district does not have personnel to physically monitor all bus stops, but transportation staff have been briefed and administrators said contingency plans exist to support students emotionally and logistically if incidents occur. A board member noted the district signs an annual Memorandum of Agreement with law enforcement addressing interactions with officers.

The exchange did not produce a formal board directive; it concluded with the board thanking the public speaker and moving on to committee reports.

Ending: The board recorded the discussion in public comment and closed the public-comment period. No vote or formal policy change was taken at this meeting; Dr. Hibbs said operational and communication steps already had been taken in response to the reports.