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Lowell Joint trustees replace immigration-enforcement policy, adopt updated student-records and access rules
Summary
The board voted unanimously to delete BP 5145.13 and adopt BP 1445 (Response to Immigration Enforcement), and approved updated policies on access to district records and student records, directing staff to implement new procedures and training.
The Lowell Joint School District Board of Trustees on Feb. 2, 2026, voted unanimously to replace its response-to-immigration-enforcement policy and to adopt updates to district rules on public access to records and student directory information.
The board deleted Board Policy 5145.13 and adopted BP 1445, "Response to Immigration Enforcement," which—according to the adopted text—says district staff shall not solicit or collect information about students' or families' citizenship or immigration status except where required by state or federal law and shall develop procedures for responding to law-enforcement requests for records, site access, or students. The policy requires staff training on responding to immigration enforcement requests and directs the superintendent or designee to report such requests to the board "in a timely manner." The policy also states the district will not disclose student directory information for immigration enforcement purposes.
In the same action, trustees approved revisions to BP 1340 (Access to District Records), BP 5125 (Student Records) and BP 5125.1 (Release of Directory Information). The updated BP 1340 clarifies procedures for responding to public-records requests, including efforts to locate electronic communications, sets timelines for determinations, and permits a limited extension in "unusual circumstances." BP 5125 reaffirms parental rights to review student records and includes AB 495-related limits on collecting or disclosing immigration or citizenship status. BP 5125.1 continues existing notice and opt-out protections for directory information and states directory data shall not be released for immigration enforcement purposes except as required by law or a judicial warrant.
The board approved the set of policy changes by unanimous vote (5-0) and authorized the superintendent or designee to execute necessary documents. Trustees and staff said the changes align district practice with state guidance on student-privacy protections. The measures take effect per the district's adoption procedures; the board packet includes the full, adopted policy texts.
