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District outlines ICE protocols, expands migrant support services and attendance-recovery plans
Summary
Superintendent presented an update on the district's 2015 resolution and new protocols for interactions with ICE, removal of birth certificates from student files, staff training, and attendance-recovery options through ELOP/ELAP; trustees requested an updated resolution and asked for data collection and communication protocols.
Santa Paula Unified officials reviewed measures to protect students and families amid increased federal immigration activity and described steps the district is taking to support migrant families.
Superintendent (presenting the information items) told the board the district does not solicit citizenship or immigration status and is reviewing student records to remove birth certificates that could reveal country of birth. The district reaffirmed a 2015 resolution and corresponding board policy that require superintendent or designee approval before disclosing student records, and noted that staff will receive scripted guidance on how to respond if enforcement officers appear on school grounds. Chief Aguilar (police representative) described continuing professional notifications between law enforcement agencies and the district and said SRO staffing is close to full.
Board members pressed for an updated, county-informed resolution because recent federal guidance has changed the legal landscape for sensitive locations. Trustees also discussed operational choices for emergency notifications (whether to send ParentSquare alerts to a single campus or the whole district) and the risk of triggering large parent responses at school sites. The superintendent said staff will notify the board promptly if the district receives subpoenas or judicial warrants and that training for site administrators and office staff is scheduled.
Separately, staff described proposed attendance-recovery rules under ELOP/ELAP that allow before- or after-school educational programming to count toward attendance recovery (four hours = one day for elementary). Trustees asked for data collection plans to ensure the program both aids students academically and yields the intended ADA adjustments; administration said it will submit more detailed implementation plans and metrics.
The board did not take a formal vote on changing the 2015 resolution at this meeting, but directed staff to draft updates and share examples from other districts and CSBA for review.
