Current Status
The SPSD Board has unanimously recommended that the City Council include the School Department in a city-wide ordinance to protect vulnerable student populations, building on years of addressing rapid demographic shifts. This decision aligns with ongoing district initiatives to support immigrant families and establish clear protective protocols.
Overview
- On October 26, 2026, the board voted unanimously to formally recommend that the City Council include the School Department within the scope of a city-wide ordinance protecting vulnerable families, choosing the ordinance over a standalone school policy.
- On January 12, 2026, the board, staff, and public discussed the district's belonging initiative, with calls for accelerated training and clearer protocols to protect vulnerable families from federal immigration enforcement.
- On January 27, 2025, the Superintendent reaffirmed the district's commitment to diversity and outlined support plans for immigrant families, while the State of the Schools report revealed that students of color had grown to comprise 37 percent of the student body.
- On January 22, 2024, the State of the Schools presentation highlighted profound demographic shifts since 2017, including a 55 percent increase in students of color, a 143 percent increase in multilingual learners, and an 869 percent increase in housing-vulnerable students.
Perspectives
Board
- Supported inclusion in the city ordinance, citing its superior legal strength and symbolic message of unity over potential jurisdictional risks.
Administration
- Superintendent Atkinson Duina noted the development of school policy KLGC to comply with state law but presented differing legal opinions regarding inclusion in the city ordinance.
- The Superintendent reaffirmed that schools are places of learning, not immigration enforcement, and outlined plans to support immigrant families.
Staff
- Staff called for accelerated training and clearer protocols to protect vulnerable families from ICE activity.
Citizens
- Parents, community activists, and legal advocates strongly urged the board to recommend inclusion in the city ordinance to provide stronger legal protections.
- Citizens called for accelerated training and clearer protocols to protect vulnerable families from ICE activity.
Key Resolutions & Votes
| Date | Motion | Result |
|---|---|---|
| October 26, 2026 | To recommend that the City Council adopt ordinance #10-26/27, an emergency ordinance to enact immigration enforcement restrictions, including the School Department in its ordinance. | Passed |
Meeting History
October 26, 2026
October 26, 2026 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Context Setting
Superintendent Atkinson Duina explained that while the School Department is developing its own policy (KLGC) to comply with state law L.D. 2106, the City Council is considering a separate city-wide ordinance (#10-26/27) and has asked for the board's recommendation on whether to include the school department.
Conflicting Legal Advice
The board was presented with differing legal opinions. The School Department's counsel advised against inclusion, citing the board's exclusive authority over school matters, while the city's attorney argued that the City Council has the power to pass such an ordinance as long as it doesn't conflict with state law.
Public Comment
All public commenters, including parents, community activists, and a lawyer, strongly urged the board to recommend inclusion in the city ordinance. Speakers argued that a legally binding ordinance offers far greater protection for students, staff, and families than a school policy and that the moral imperative to act outweighed any potential jurisdictional risks.
Board Deliberation
Board members unanimously expressed support for inclusion. They reasoned that an ordinance provides more legal strength than a policy, that the symbolic message of unity and protection is crucial, and that the risks of ceding minor authority were negligible compared to the benefit of providing the strongest possible safeguards for the community.
Unanimous Vote
Following the discussion, the board voted unanimously to formally recommend that the City Council adopt the ordinance and explicitly include the School Department within its scope.
January 12, 2026
January 12, 2026 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Immigration Enforcement and Student Safety
The board and public discussed the district's 'Strengthening Our Community Through Belonging' initiative, with citizens and staff calling for accelerated training and clearer protocols to protect vulnerable families from ICE activity.
January 27, 2025
January 27, 2025 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
District Response to Immigration Policy
The Superintendent addressed recent federal immigration enforcement policy changes, reaffirming that schools are places of learning, not enforcement. He outlined the district's plan to support immigrant families by providing resources, consulting with legal experts, and ensuring staff are prepared, while emphasizing the district's unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
STATE OF THE SCHOOLS: Demographics and Attendance
The STATE OF THE SCHOOLS presentation revealed significant demographic shifts since 2019, with students of color now comprising 37% of the student body. The report also showed a positive trend in attendance, with chronic absenteeism dropping from a post-pandemic high of 26% in 2022-23 to 18% in the current year, though disparities remain for students with IEPs.
January 22, 2024
January 22, 2024 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Transformational Demographic Changes
The State of the Schools presentation highlighted profound demographic shifts since the 2017-18 school year, with a 55% increase in students of color, a 143% increase in multilingual learners, and an 869% increase in housing-vulnerable students, all while overall enrollment remained stable.