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Residents press Dysart board to take position on nearby ICE facility
Summary
Residents told the Dysart Unified School District board March 30 that a proposed ICE facility near local campuses raises safety, fiscal and reputational concerns and urged the district to adopt a formal stance; a board member requested a future agenda item to discuss the district's position.
Bill Buckingham and Terri Moody urged the Dysart Unified School District governing board to take a public stance against an ICE detention facility being developed within district boundaries and near Dysart High School.
"I've attended 3 or 4 different meetings and heard from Dysart high school students about their concerns about this ICE detention facility that's going in," said Bill Buckingham, a Surprise resident. He asked whether the district has a plan in place if ICE appears on school premises and said he was surprised the board had not taken a public position.
Terri Moody, a retired teacher, told the board the Sweetwater warehouse has been purchased for ICE use and asked the board to "make a clear and concrete stand on this issue." Moody cited fiscal concerns including potential added security costs, the district's obligation to educate minors housed there, and the risk that families might withdraw students—reducing enrollment and revenue.
Board members did not act on the comments during public comment, but a board member later requested a future agenda item to discuss "the school board member's position on the ICE facility," moving the issue into a formal discussion track.
The remarks were made during the district's public comment period; board policy and state law limit action on items not on the agenda to directing staff to study the matter, responding to criticism, or scheduling it for later consideration. The board did not take immediate policy action at the meeting.
