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District clarifies extreme-heat and smoke guidance and says ICE-visit protocol will not be added to safety plan
Summary
District staff said extreme-heat rules require actions at 82 F and relocation when feasible at 88 F, described reliance on county/NWS/DEC guidance for wildfire smoke, and said specific ICE-visit protocols are not appropriate for inclusion in the state-mandated safety plan.
District staff used the public hearing to clarify how the safety plan addresses environmental threats and the limits of the plan's scope.
Dan told the hearing the governor's extreme-heat guidance requires the district to begin taking steps to lower temperatures at 82 degrees Fahrenheit and to relocate people to cooler areas "when practical" at 88 degrees. "At 82 degrees, we have to start taking action," Dan said, and he described steps such as lowering overhead lights, lowering shades, running fans and using portable cooling where available.
The district said capital-project work will allow the high school to move large volumes of cool air to priority areas and that staff are ordering fans and portable air-conditioning devices for the spring to help on hot days. Board members and staff discussed the practical and pedagogical challenges of moving whole classes, especially for younger students, and agreed staff-level planning is needed to reduce disruption where relocation is required.
On wildfire smoke and air quality, Dan said the district has previously adjusted outdoor activities during Canadian smoke events and will continue to follow guidance from Tompkins County, the National Weather Service and the DEC rather than set an independent AQI threshold in the safety plan.
Regarding ICE visits, staff said the district has a one-page protocol and would engage legal counsel as needed, but that a detailed protocol for a single enforcement agency does not belong in the state safety plan, which focuses on protecting students, staff and visitors during emergencies and critical incidents.
No formal policy changes were adopted at the hearing; staff said the plan will be posted for public comment and the board will consider it at a future meeting.
