Cheshire Policy Committee forwards draft policy to protect undocumented students to full board after brief debate

The Cheshire School District Policy Committee voted 2-1 to forward a drafted policy intended to protect undocumented students to the full Board of Education for consideration.

Board Chair Smith Rosenberg submitted a written statement to the committee urging a formally adopted policy, saying that “a codified policy serves a different purpose than internal guidance” because it publicly communicates the district’s commitment to protect students’ physical safety, emotional well-being and educational access. Rosenberg wrote that, while district staff follow state guidance and existing protocols, a formal board policy would provide continuity and reassurance to families who may feel vulnerable.

Committee members discussed the draft’s origin and legal context. Dr. Solon said the draft was adapted from a CAB model and described it as “pretty straightforward,” noting it focuses on how district personnel should respond if immigration or customs enforcement issues arise during the school day. Dr. Harrigan said she has supported the document “from the beginning” and urged the committee to move it on to the full board.

Mr. Ekey countered that the state does not require such a policy and warned that adopting nonrequired policies can increase liability and exposure. He raised a practical point about accessibility of policy language, saying that policies are often “buried in a hard-to-find, hard-to-search database,” and suggested that direct communications from the superintendent and clearer web postings could reassure families without formal adoption.

Committee members also discussed specific protections the draft would reiterate, such as prohibiting staff from asking for green cards, citizenship papers or Social Security numbers at school, and emphasized that the policy is limited to district staff actions during school days. One member noted the district does not have an exact count of how many undocumented students attend Cheshire schools.

A motion to send the policy to the full Board of Education was made and seconded; the committee approved it by a 2-1 vote. The committee chair indicated the policy will return to the full board for its review as a routine next step. The meeting adjourned following brief closing remarks.

The full Board of Education will consider the draft policy at a future meeting; no date was specified in the committee discussion.