Student Safety, Immigration Policy, and Staff Shortages

The board hears urgent calls from teachers, parents, and students to strengthen protections for immigrant families, clarify law enforcement protocols, and address staff shortages in therapy services. Concerns about attendance barriers and fair wages for classified employees are also raised. 20mins

Education
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Original Meeting

Thursday, September 11th, 2025
8839.0
Full Meeting on YouTube
Video Notes

#DPSCommunity | DPS Board of Education Monthly Work Session | 9/11/25

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Wes Platt
Durham, NC
Neighborhood news guy for Southpoint Access in Durham.
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In This Video
  • A teacher and community member urged the board to revise District Policy 5120 to strengthen protections for students' due process rights and clarify protocols regarding law enforcement activities in schools.
  • A parent and member of School Parents for Immigrant Defense urged the board to adopt a new Private Zones policy and protocol to clarify procedures for school staff during immigration enforcement activities and to alleviate fears among students and families.
  • A teacher and parent described declining enrollment and attendance among multilingual and refugee students due to fears related to immigration enforcement, and called for clear protocols and training to support affected families.
  • A high school student shared a personal story about losing a friend whose family left the country due to safety concerns, and urged the board to train school staff on how to support students affected by immigration enforcement and discrimination.
  • A parent, through a letter read aloud, urged the board to review Policy 5120, provide clear communication and training on policy changes, and ensure that students, teachers, and parents - especially those from immigrant and refugee families - feel safe and informed.
  • A parent urged the board to reconsider family responsibility zones at low-income elementary schools, citing safety and transportation barriers that make daily attendance difficult for many families.
  • A physical therapist described high turnover among occupational and physical therapy staff due to uncompetitive pay and urged the board to implement fair, competitive wages to retain classified employees.
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