Immigration and School Safety Protocols

School leaders and personnel realize that events involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in and around the Twin Cities metropolitan area, including reports of their increased presence in our region, have created anxiety within our community. The RFSD’s primary concern is to create a safe learning environment for students and adults.Accordingly, the District communicates regularly with the River Falls Police Department (RFPD) and other area leaders to ensure we are operating with the most accurate information regarding potential safety and security concerns. While all situations are unique, local law enforcement leaders continue to indicate that children are not the target of current enforcement actions.

We will continue to follow all applicable federal and state laws, and school policies, while remaining focused on creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students and families. Please see the clarifications below regarding ICE presence on school grounds and how immigration status relates to enrollment.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on School Grounds

• The District does not permit ICE agents on school grounds without prior authorization. While current indications suggest that ICE is not targeting schools, we recognize that situations originating off-campus have the potential to spill over. If this occurs, staff are instructed to follow established protocols to ensure student safety, including contacting administration and the RFPD immediately. Administrators will require agents to provide appropriate identification and will follow our policies regarding law enforcement interactions with students.
• District interactions with law enforcement are guided by:
  • 448 - Rule   Procedures for Police Interview of Students
  • 448 Police Interview of Students
• As outlined in this policy, while the District recognizes the need for law enforcement to investigate matters, we do not want non-school police matters to disrupt the instructional day. Law enforcement should not use the school setting to bypass student and parental rights.
• While we maintain active and positive lines of communication with law enforcement; the building principal or Superintendent has the authority to deny a request to interview a student during the instructional day. These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, and are guided by a deep commitment to protecting educational time for all students.

Procedures for Transportation

• The school bus is considered school grounds.  If law enforcement/immigration enforcement agents stop the bus and ask to interview a student, the driver will contact the Director of Transportation or Superintendent prior to allowing the law enforcement officer on the bus.  In this situation, the policies described above will apply. 
• Bus stops are considered public property. This means law enforcement and immigration enforcement agents have the authority to interact with individuals in these areas.
• Drivers and school personnel are not responsible for intervening if they observe law enforcement interacting with parents or students at a bus stop. However, drivers will confidentially report these interactions to the Director of Transportation when it is safe to do so.
• If a student is afraid to exit the bus, the driver will allow the student to remain on board and will contact the Director of Transportation. The Director will then contact the family or emergency contacts to create a plan for the child to be picked up at the bus garage.

If you have additional questions or feedback, please contact Superintendent David Bell at 715-425-1800.