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Teachers tell board immigration enforcement is harming students; board asks superintendent to convene task force
Summary
Teachers detailed fear, enrollment declines and trauma among students following recent immigration enforcement actions and asked Pomona Unified to form a districtwide task force; the board directed Superintendent Nolles to convene the group and report back.
Teachers and community members told the Pomona Unified board the district must do more to support students affected by immigration enforcement, describing enrollment declines, trauma and daily fear in classrooms.
"Silence is not neutrality. Silence is complicity," Diana Bermudez, an elementary teacher and Associated Pomona Teachers member, told the board while recounting testimony she delivered at a city hearing. Bermudez described students returning to class after raids who were frightened, disoriented and unable to focus, and she asked the board to establish a district task force including unions, parents, community organizations and administrators to coordinate support.
Board members responded by endorsing the proposal. One member said he would "give the superintendent direction to establish this group," and Superintendent Darren Nolles said staff would convene the committee and invited board members who wished to serve to join. Staff offered to report back on structure and a timeline at a follow-up meeting.
Bermudez urged the district to assess gaps in services, strengthen monitoring of program implementation and ensure the community advisory and other parent bodies are included in planning. The board did not adopt a formal resolution at the meeting but committed to a staff-led convening and follow-up.
