Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents urge safer student transit and district support for immigrant staff and families during public comment
Summary
During the public comment period, parents raised concerns about high-school students riding Metro Transit without age-appropriate safeguards and urged the district to survey families and consider alternate arrangements; SPFE speakers also asked the board to formalize immigrant staff protections and a standing immigrant defense committee.
Several community members used the board’s public comment period to raise safety and equity concerns about district transportation and to press the board to do more to protect immigrant families and staff.
Rachel Barrows Tollman, a parent, said many high-school students must navigate Metro Transit ‘‘as minors’’ and reported instances of harassment and safety concerns at bus stops and on buses. She asked the board to reassess reliance on Metro Transit for student commuting, involve parents and students in surveys and explore alternatives such as dedicated routes, a security presence or other age-appropriate transportation measures.
Speakers from the Saint Paul Federation of Educators’ (SPFE) Immigration Defense Committee outlined a set of proposals seeking emergency policy clarifications and ongoing district actions to protect immigrant staff and families. Their requests included immediate signage clarifying safe zones around school properties, temporary remote-work or virtual-assignment options for vulnerable staff, virtual professional development and tele-delivery options for special-education services when traveling is unsafe. They also proposed a pilot standing committee and a district-paid position to coordinate immigrant-family supports, plus stipends for community advisors.
Board and administration responses acknowledged community concerns. Superintendent Stanley described volunteers and community partners who have supported families during the current situation and said administration would continue to explore flexible options and partnerships. The board did not take formal action during the meeting on the public commenters’ requests but related proposals later appeared in committee reports and policy discussions.
