Scranton superintendent outlines steps taken by district in response to new immigration laws
SCRANTON — Scranton School District administrators are developing plans if federal immigration officials visit district schools and want to keep the community informed of the changes in the law.
Administrators met last week to discuss protocols the district has put in place if a federal agency or entity were to visit a school, Superintendent Erin Keating, Ed.D. said at Monday's vendor relations committee meeting, and how the situation would be handled. They also discussed the changes in the law around immigration with guidance counselors, social workers and English as a second language teachers.
'We will continue to hold such meetings to update people on a regular basis,' she said.
The changes are in response to actions taken by President Donald Trump in his first week in office to crack down on illegal immigration, which include fast-tracking deportations, suspending the refugee program and lifting rules restricting immigration enforcement at or near schools and churches. School districts across Northeastern Pennsylvania are working on similar protocols if Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were to visit.
Keating pointed to the pop-up note on the district's website directing the public to contact Assistant Superintendent of Community Relations and Student/Staff Support Al O'Donnell regarding the changes in the law. She said officials are ensuring students are receiving support services and are setting up a page with information on immigration on the district's website.
'We have always had a really strong social and emotional learning program,' she said, adding she's asked staff and administrators to keep Character Strong, a program for students to develop social and emotional skills, running.
Keating said the district is being open and transparent with information and are ensuring resources are available. Administrators talk regularly with law enforcement and city officials, and the district's legal team vets any action taken and are part of the conversation in dealing with the changes, she said. Keating planned to bring up the topic of immigration with Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti this week.
However, Keating said administrators and the board are still figuring out the new laws but emphasized it is the district's priority to ensure the health, safety and welfare of students.
'This is always our top priority,' she said.
O'Donnell emphasized officials are around to help and support families and encouraged them to reach out to him.
'We are in unchartered waters so there will be changes along the way but always remember … we are here to protect the health and safety of children of the Scranton School District,' he said.
In other news, Keating said administrators met earlier this month with representatives from Rohrer, Thomas Built Buses and Pete's Garage, the district's bus provider, to discuss why some of the district's electric buses aren't running.
Officials unveiled the district's first environmentally friendly buses in the fall. Rohrer purchased the buses for Dunmore-based Pete's Garage, the district's bus provider.
The Duncanon-based company bought the buses, which cost $375,000 each, with a $9.87 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean School Bus Program.
There are 25 electric buses in the district, of which 20 are on the road, officials said.
Keating said there are issues with the chargers and the buses being able to hold a charge, with Thomas Built representatives stating the problem is with the 12 volt batteries. She said Rohrer representatives will be on site beginning early next month and would see the buses are working.
'I understand getting these buses is extremely important,' she said, emphasizing officials want to get the buses on the road.
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