ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
There has been much controversy in recent months about tactics taken by ICE and other law enforcement when it comes to immigration, and Monday evening, questions were raised about how students in USD 480 could be affected.
“New Frontiers is a non-profit agency that works on providing tools and resources to equip young people to get involved in their community, and in response to the Trump Administration, we have been doing a lot of rapid response activities,” New Frontiers Community Organizer Kathleen Alonso said. “We have established an ICE network hotline, which provides updates for communities and if ICE is in the area. We also provide resources and tools families need in order to know and understand their constitutional rights. As of last April, there was an ICE presence that did affect students in USD 480, and in response to that, we did make contact with a USD 480 administrator, and we know there were conversations that happened behind the scenes about procedures that would take place if ICE were to visit schools in the district. We are asking, as an organization and as community volunteers, for the USD 480 school board to have a clear protocol in place if ICE should come near any of the school properties. We want to know what is the district’s plan if ICE is seen near or on school grounds? Will staff be trained to de-escalate or redirect ICE from interacting with students? Can the district commit to not allowing ICE agents access without a valid warrant signed by a judge?”
Alonso added it is important for the students’ learning environment to be safe and secure.
“We also want to make sure there is safety and trust built within the school district because the fear of immigration enforcement creates anxiety and trauma, especially younger students, so how will the district ensure a positive, trauma-informed learning environment for all students, including those from mixed-status families?” Alonso said. “We also believe families deserve resources and support, and we are aware how, back in April, there were teachers attempting to print off special red cards for their students, and we know there was an e-mail sent out prohibiting teachers from doing so. In response to that, we know there was going to be a decision based off that incident, though I’m not sure if that was going to come from the school board or someone at the Central Office, in terms of providing streamlined resources for those students. That has not come since April. We also want to know if the district would offer information, referrals or support for families impacted by immigration enforcement, and if the schools could work with trusted local partners to provide ‘Know Your Rights’ materials in some manner.”
Another necessary area of emphasis, Alonso said, is support around mental health.
“We want to know, are the school counselors trained to address immigration-related stress and trauma, and could we ensure bilingual and culturally competent counselors are available to those students who need it?” Alonso asked. “We also want to know if the school district would be willing to provide flexible learning options to students affected by this. We urge the board to publicly commit to reviewing and discussing this issue, and please consider placing this on the agenda for a future meeting, or schedule a public forum for this matter.”
Much of the meeting’s new business then focused on approving multiple new positions in the district, beginning with a sign language interpreter/pareducator dual role.
“Per the agenda packet, we’re looking for dedicated professionals to serve in a dual-role position that combines the responsibilities of a sign language interpreter and paraeducator,” Special Education Director Dane Parcel said. “The primary responsibility will be to provide interpreting services to facilitate communication for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. When interpreting services are not required, the individual will support students and staff as a paraeducator in instructional and non-instructional settings. This position will keep USD 480 from hiring virtual interpreters through outside companies by growing our own. Interested staff not proficient in sign language with appropriate certification will be required to complete courses to become certified as a contingency for continued employment in this position.”
After some brief discussion, the board ultimately approved the hiring of two sign language/paraeducator dual positions by a margin of 4-0, with board members Mike Brack, Alan Brown and Nick Hatcher absent from the meeting.
The board then discussed the creation of nine full-time permanent substitute teacher positions.
“Per the agenda packet, this aims to provide consistent instructional support, reduce reliance on last-minute external substitutes, and will enhance student learning continuity,” Superintendent Dane Richardson said. “The minimum requirements for this position will be a high school diploma or GED. These subs will be required to pass a background check and obtain proper licensure. These subs will work a full-time eight hours per day and follow the Certified Teaching Calendar.”
The board ultimately approved the creation of nine full-time permanent substitute teacher positions, and then concluded the meeting’s new business by approving the position of head girls' wrestling coach and the position of a district-wide bilingual/esl paraprofessional. All were approved by a margin of 4-0.
Near the beginning of the meeting, the board also approved multiple employments, retirements, resignations and transfers, including the hiring of Darla Forney as the new principal at Liberal High School. Current principal Ashley Kappelmann will be transferring to the Central Office as the new Director of Recruitment and Education.
