Lawrence Public Schools will keep students’ information private and support their constitutional right to education regardless of their immigration status, the superintendent told families Friday.
Interim Superintendent Jeanice Swift addressed recent concerns in an email to school staff and families Friday afternoon. She said the district will continue following state and federal law, in addition to board policy, to keep student information secure.
“Further, in keeping with the law, we will not share any student data without a warrant, subpoena, or other lawfully issued court order,” Swift wrote. “Our team will continue to follow the law and abide by board policies regarding investigations and/or arrests on school grounds.”
President Donald Trump has directed the Department of Homeland Security to pull back protections in or near “sensitive” areas, which included schools, health care facilities and places of worship, from the enforcement of immigration authorities, Kansas Reflector reports.
The Kansas State Department of Education released a statement in response Thursday that said school safety remains a top priority. In Swift’s message, she echoed KSDE’s recommendations and said she wants to ensure people know neither the law nor the district’s practices have changed.
“In the Lawrence Public Schools, we remain deeply committed to supporting ALL our students and their families, regardless of national origin, religion or immigration status; we stand in strong support of our students and their families,” Swift wrote.
“We understand that many of our children and families are experiencing concern as a result of recent national developments, and we will continue to reassure all within our community of our ongoing engagement and support,” she continued. “As is true every day, our school teams, teachers and principals remain ready to support our children and families who are experiencing concerns.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.