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Superintendent: committee motions are fact‑finding steps; DOE guidance sets school access rules for immigration agents
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Altobello told the board motions on tonight's agenda are required procedural steps to permit fact‑finding on a potential referendum and emphasized that Department of Education guidance requires staff to notify the chief school administrator before admitting immigration enforcement, absent a judicial warrant or exigent circumstances.
Superintendent Dr. Altobello briefed the board on procedural items and district guidance during his first formal superintendent's report to the board.
On agenda motions that reference possible referendum work, Dr. Altobello emphasized they are preliminary, Department of Education‑required steps to allow fact‑finding and information gathering. "If the board of education approves these motions tonight, it simply allows us, the district, to do fact finding, to do information gathering with the respect to a potential referendum in the future," he said, adding that approval would not equate to approving any referendum.
Dr. Altobello also reviewed a memo aligning district procedures with New Jersey Department of Education guidance on immigration enforcement access to school property. He said staff must notify the chief school administrator, request identification and the purpose of any visit, and absent exigent circumstances the superintendent will determine access. He reiterated that a valid judicial search warrant or arrest warrant requires admission per the law and DOE guidance.
He invited community members to read the guidance posted on the Department of Education website and offered to answer follow‑up questions individually. He noted two upcoming dates for community engagement: an initial superintendent meet‑and‑greet on Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m. and a special education parent advisory group meeting scheduled at the high school (date listed in board packet).
The superintendent also told the board the district is monitoring a possible winter storm and will inform families if weather requires changes to the school schedule.
Board members asked clarifying questions about distribution of materials and receipt of last‑minute documentation; administration agreed to circulate missing paperwork and to follow up on questions raised during the meeting.
