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East Lansing board readies communications on immigration enforcement; trustees urge policy clarity and signage
Summary
Trustees heard that the district is preparing communications about immigration-enforcement protocols tied to Policy 5201 and an earlier board resolution; a trustee recommended incorporating the resolution into policy and considering ACLU-recommended signage, and staff said the resolution is already posted at school entrances.
Trustees on Jan. 27 were told East Lansing Public Schools is preparing communications for families, staff and students about immigration-enforcement protocols and how district staff should respond if enforcement agents appear on campus.
Superintendent Leo reminded the board that the district’s current guidance is linked to Policy 5201 and a Feb. 6, 2017 board resolution affirming a commitment to a safe and supportive school environment regardless of immigration status; he noted that the board approved a related resolution at the Jan. 20 meeting and that staff are working to craft clear communications.
During discussion, a board member recommended that the most recent resolution be incorporated into Policy 5201 and suggested looking to the ACLU’s toolbox for schools and considering signage at building entrances to clarify enforcement rules. Superintendent Leo said resolutions are posted at building doors and staff are collecting resources; the district’s director of equity and social justice is gathering materials and consulting with counterparts in other districts to prepare communications.
What this means: The board is not changing policy at the meeting but directed staff to prepare clear, district-wide communications about how schools will respond to immigration-enforcement activity; trustees raised signage and external guidance as potential tools. No formal policy amendment was made at Jan. 27.
