OJUSD trustees review proposed immigration-enforcement response policy after public warning of legal risk

The Oakdale Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees held a first reading of proposed Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 1445 (response to immigration enforcement) and related updates to student-records policy during its regular meeting.

District staff presented the revisions as procedural updates that would require staff to document requests for student and staff information, to ask for official credentials such as judicial warrants when requests are made, and to notify the superintendent or designee as well as parents or guardians when records are requested. Staff said the updates extend protections beyond students to include staff and others and recommended a second reading before adoption.

During discussion, trustees pressed staff on language in the draft that directs staff not to impede officers. A trustee said administrators needed clear guidance on how to assess a law-enforcement officer’s credentials "if the officer appears to be acting outside the law." District staff replied they would document interactions, seek judicial warrants or court orders as appropriate, contact the district office and local law enforcement, and avoid placing staff in harm’s way. Staff also noted that the district could clarify in the policy that tactical-response details are confidential and need not be publicly disclosed.

At public comment, Cynthia Prieto Diaz, who identified herself as a public health analyst, urged the board to align the draft with state law and cited California Assembly Bill 49 and relevant Education Code provisions. "By directing staff not to impede officers who may be acting without such a warrant, this board is inviting litigation and state noncompliance," she said, and added she disagreed with the staff finding of "no fiscal impact." Diaz urged the board to prioritize student wellbeing and to revise the policy language to avoid legal exposure.

The item is tentatively scheduled for a second reading and possible adoption at a future meeting; staff recommended additional revisions and offered to refine confidentiality wording for tactical-response material.