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Antioch Unified board amends Safe Haven resolution amid public concerns about policing and suspensions
Summary
The board amended Resolution 2016-1730 to reaffirm that district schools are "safe and welcoming" regardless of immigration status and directed the superintendent to bar ICE agents from district property without prior written approval. Public commenters alleged the district has "weaponized" police and urged more counselors and oversight of suspension rates.
The Antioch Unified School District Board of Education voted to amend Resolution 2016-1730, reaffirming that district sites should be "safe and welcoming" spaces for all students regardless of immigration status and directing the superintendent to restrict law-enforcement access to student records and district property without appropriate legal process.
The resolution states that the board "declares its unequivocal commitment that every school district site shall be a safe and welcoming space" and directs the superintendent to ensure multilingual notification of families about their rights, provide community-based legal resources, and require prior written approval from the superintendent before Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents may enter district property.
Public commenters used the meeting's public-comment period to raise discipline and policing concerns. Nicole Arrington described a recent incident she said involved a staff member contacting the wrong household and threatening to involve police; she called the staff interaction "rude and unprofessional" and asked that an apology be issued. Patricia Granados told the board the district has "weaponized the police against families," said she had records she would share with the board, and urged trustees to hire counselors rather than expand policing. "We want counselors not cops," she said.
Dr Payton urged trustees to examine site-level suspension data and called attention to persistent high suspension rates for African-American students and students with special needs, saying the board should act to address perceived bias and inequitable discipline practices.
Board members moved and passed the amendment; staff were directed to notify parents, guardians and students in multiple languages and to coordinate with legal-service and community organizations to provide resources to families facing possible deportation. The resolution also requires regular updates to the board on training and implementation steps.
