Dear Parents,
In the coming weeks districts around the nation are anticipating new Executive Orders from President Trump in relation to Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE}. There are uncertainties regarding how these orders may impact our students, families, and staff. As a reminder, the district's position is that the educational environment is a safe space for students to access their education and for staff to deliver the educational experience. The district will follow all laws regarding access to student and staff information.
Under Oregon Law ORS 181A.820, law enforcement agencies are prohibited from using public resources (in this case public schools} for the purpose of detecting or apprehending individuals whose only violation is being present in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws, subject to exceptions under the law.
Under Oregon laws ORS 336.184-187, student educational records are protected from use for immigration action.
For your information:
If ICE agents show up at one of our schools, your building principals will send those agents to the district office and I will verify credentials, determine their purpose for being in the district and then I will contact our legal counsel for guidance.
If a law enforcement agent contacts a staff member asking for student or staff information, they are to send those requests to the district office and inform their principals immediately.
If ICE agents show up inquiring about specific students or families, we will notify those families independently.
It is important that we do the best we can to keep politics out of the day-to-day operations of each school so that we can keep the focus on fostering positive and safe relationships with our students, families and staff and provide the best educational experience for everyone.
As the weeks progress and the district develops more clarity on the issues at hand, we will discuss what other measures each building may need, including how to communicate with our students and families to support them.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Dandy Stevens
Superintendent