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Community member urges Monroe‑Woodbury to issue statement on ICE practices
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Summary
Carol Sotopoulos, representing Hands off Hudson Valley, asked the Monroe‑Woodbury school board to consider a public statement clarifying whether ICE may enter nonpublic school spaces and what notice protocols exist; the speaker pointed to local resolutions supporting the MELT Act and New York for All Act and was directed to contact the district registrar, Diane Kelly, for follow-up.
During the public‑comment portion of the March 18 meeting, Carol Sotopoulos, co‑organizer of Hands off Hudson Valley, told the board she was speaking to request that the Monroe‑Woodbury Central School District consider issuing a public statement about district protocols concerning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Sotopoulos said her group has asked neighboring municipal bodies to adopt resolutions supporting the MELT Act and the New York for All Act, which she described as limiting local law‑enforcement collaboration with ICE, requiring warrants for ICE access to nonpublic areas of state and local property and ensuring notice of rights for people in custody. She told the board she had reviewed district policies and did not find language specific to ICE and asked whether the district would consider a public statement similar to ones adopted elsewhere.
“...what would be helpful in the interest of communication is if you would consider a public statement, something similar to what I can show you from Newburgh, but more specific to Monroe Woodbury,” Sotopoulos said.
Board leaders responded with procedural guidance rather than policy commitments. The chair directed Sotopoulos to contact the district registrar; Diane Kelly was named by name as the appropriate contact for follow‑up.
What’s next: Sotopoulos said she was representing Hands off Hudson Valley and indicated the group will continue outreach to local officials. No board action or formal policy change occurred at the March 18 meeting; the request was recorded in public comment and referred to district staff for follow‑up.
