Board amends immigrant-student policy after split votes and public objections

The Alexandria Township Board of Education considered revisions to Policy P 7440.1 (Immigrant Students) on March 20. An initial motion to amend the proposed language — described in the minutes as adding text regarding exigent circumstances — was made by Doug Walker and seconded by Wanda Quinones; the amendment passed on a 6–3 roll call. A subsequent vote to approve the consent agenda item including the amended policy also passed 6–3.

Minutes record community opposition during public comment: speakers including L. Strochak and other community members expressed concern about the immigrant-student policy and asked for clarification about potential penalties and municipal consultation. The board's recorded votes show three members opposed to the amended language (Ann Marie Austin, Renee Bagley and Michael Small).

The motion on the floor was described in the minutes as: "that the Alexandria Township Board of Education amend the proposed policy language in 12.C.1 to include additional language regarding exigent circumstances." The minutes do not provide the final, verbatim text of the adopted policy; board administrators will maintain the official adopted policy language in district records and the policy will appear in the district's policy manual once finalized.

Public comment on the item resumed later in the meeting and again raised questions about enforcement and penalties; the minutes show requests that the board discuss the amendment with municipal counsel. The minutes note only the board's roll-call outcomes and that the amended policy was adopted as part of the consent agenda.