Hi all, and welcome back to Educating Arizona! 👋
The Trump administration has revoked a long-standing policy that largely prohibited immigration enforcement at schools and other “sensitive locations.”
Before Trump’s inauguration, the Cartwright Elementary School District in west Phoenix was one of several school districts across the U.S. to take action in anticipation of the potential for heightened immigration enforcement. In December, the school district’s then-Governing Board adopted a policy stating the district would not permit immigration enforcement activities on school property “without a valid warrant or legal order” and would not ask about or document the immigration status of students or parents. The policy also directed the district to train staff on FERPA, the federal law governing the privacy of student records, and on protocols for responding to law enforcement requests.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Viridiana Carrizales, the CEO of ImmSchools, said before Trump took office that the absence of the sensitive locations policy would not dissolve students’ constitutional right to public education regardless of immigration status, or their protections under FERPA, which prohibits school personnel from disclosing a student’s records to an immigration official unless the school has consent from the student’s parent or the official has a valid subpoena or court order.
State takes over Isaac Elementary School District
The Arizona State Board of Education voted to place the Isaac Elementary School District under state control after the district overspent its budget by more than $12 million.
The district, which serves about 4,800 K-8 students in Phoenix — the majority of whom are low-income and nearly 40% of whom are English learners — will be overseen by a state-appointed individual, called a receiver, who will propose a financial improvement plan and take over district management and operations.
During the State Board of Education meeting, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said he was concerned the district would soon be unable to pay teachers, and Maricopa County Treasurer John Allen said he could not front the district any more money after having already provided millions in credit. During Horne’s State of Education speech on Tuesday, he said he had asked the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to provide emergency funding but has not yet received a response.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Isaac Elementary told families that though the receivership was a “significant change,” the “day-to-day operations” of its schools would “continue as usual.”
Other school news from around the Valley
Thanks for reading! You can reach The Arizona Republic education team by emailing Madeleine Parrish at mparrish@arizonarepublic.com.
Share your good news, send accountability tips and keep the discussion going on The Arizona Republic’s education Facebook page. Forward this newsletter to others so they don’t miss important Arizona education news. Here’s where to sign up.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: State takes over Phoenix elementary school district
EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel