AUSTIN (KXAN)— In its school board meeting on Monday, Hays Consolidated Independent School District passed a resolution to reaffirm admission, safety and privacy for its students calling its schools “protected areas” related to recent federal immigration concerns.
In a 7-0 vote, trustees supported the resolution addressing district families’ worries. However, some trustees expressed concerns about whether this resolution will give the district unwanted attention.
“The board recognizes the local concerns for public education raised by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s recent recission of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforcement guidance designating schools as ‘protected areas,’ and seeks to address these concerns while also carrying out its duties under law and Board Policy,” the beginning of the resolution said.
District 2 board trustee Johnny Flores shared opening remarks in support of the resolution after it was read.
“It’s important to acknowledge these kids attend our campuses, they play on our teams, they’re in our clubs, they win awards, they make Hays CISD the special place that it is,” Flores said. “To me, it’s important that they know all kids are welcome in Hays CISD and all kids are valued in Hays CISD.”
Flores added the district is committed to also abiding by laws.
District 3 board trustee Courtney Runkle expressed her support for the resolution as well, while also being wary of bringing politics into education.
“I don’t want to bring politics into our schools…We can love on our children, we can educate our children, but we still have to follow the law,” Runkle said.
Runkle asked Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright whether ICE has visited any campuses recently.
Wright said there have not been any ICE visits, but said staff at each campus is aware of what protocols to follow if that happens.
According to the resolution, “The District is not authorized to collect information related to a student’s immigration status and is otherwise committed to preserving the privacy of education records maintained by the District, including education records, if any, relating to a student’s immigration status.”
The resolution said Hays CISD has designated a specific person in the central office as the initial point of contact for ICE or CBP. Hays CISD has a policy that instructs district staff to reach out to legal counsel right away should ICE or CBP come to campuses.
Trustee at Large Vanessa Petrea said she struggled supporting the resolution, due to what she said the board already committed to doing to support its students.
“There could be a lot of resolutions that we could write to affirm that we are going to educate kids and follow the law,” Petrea said. “Our actions speak louder than words…we are going to do these things. We don’t need a resolution to say that we’re going to do these things, that’s why I’m struggling…I think this could be a slippery slope…I don’t want to put a target on our backs.”
This story will be updated by reporter Jala Washington.
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