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Superintendent says district won’t assist immigration enforcement, outlines supports after ICE activity
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Rodriguez told the Morris School District board that recent ICE activity has worried students and families, emphasized that the district does not engage in immigration enforcement, and listed counseling, social workers and community partners (including Nourish NJ and the Morris Area Clergy Council) as supports; the board pledged to post resource information within two days.
Dr. Rodriguez, the Morris School District superintendent, told the board that recent ICE activity in town has “deeply impacted members of our school community” and that some students and families are experiencing fear, confusion and distress. The superintendent said the district’s immediate focus is keeping schools "calm, welcoming, and centered on instruction" and ensuring that students who are struggling emotionally receive counseling and social-work support.
Why it matters: Districts have limited authority over immigration enforcement but substantial responsibility for student safety and learning conditions. Dr. Rodriguez stressed that the district does not collect or share information about a person’s immigration status and will work with community partners to provide assistance and resources.
In her remarks, Dr. Rodriguez outlined existing and near-term supports: counselors and social workers in schools available to students in distress; referral pathways for staff and families; and a community-based assistance channel coordinated through the Morris Area Clergy Council. She said Nourish NJ — working with area churches including Assemblies of God — is providing food access and family support resources and that details would be posted to the NourishN website within two days.
Board procedure and limits: The superintendent told the board there are limits to what she could say publicly about security measures or law-enforcement practices. She said the district is ‘‘working continuously with our community partners to ensure our schools operate safely and responsibly within the law to protect all of our students.’’
Public concern: During the public-comment period, parent Nicole Della said a letter signed by roughly 300 parents and caretakers urged the district to communicate more clearly about available safeguards and services and asked the district to consider emergency measures such as enhanced transportation, additional security, monitoring or preparedness training for staff and students, and expanded social-emotional supports.
What’s next: Dr. Rodriguez and the board said resource information and guidance for families would be posted publicly and updated on the NourishN site within two days. The board took no formal action at the meeting to adopt new security measures; public comment and the superintendent’s report served as the record of community concern and district response.
