Medford School Committee adopts immigration-enforcement policy; interim superintendent outlines transition priorities

The Medford School Committee on Jan. 27 approved an immigration-enforcement policy that spells out district practices when immigration enforcement agents seek access to students or school records, and heard Interim Superintendent Suzanne B. Gallusi present a transition plan that prioritizes relationship-building, budget planning and continuity of instruction.

Member Rousseau read the policy language aloud during the meeting: “Medford Public Schools does not request immigration status as part of its registration process.” The adopted policy states that district personnel will not inquire about a student’s immigration status at registration, will not provide student-records information to immigration authorities absent a signed judicial court order, and will deny site access to immigration agents unless the superintendent presents a court order and has consulted legal counsel. The policy also directs school staff on student dismissal procedures, handling of students whose parents or guardians have been detained, and steps for reporting alleged hate crimes.

The committee approved several amendments before voting. Members removed language that the district’s attorney described as too vague (a prohibition on “unreasonable inquiries”), added specific procedures for encounters that occur on school-sponsored transportation (bus drivers and monitors are to request identification, not discharge students and immediately contact the superintendent’s office and the transportation office), and clarified nondiscrimination language to include disability status. The vote to approve the policy as amended was 7–0. Committee members then voted 7–0 to waive a second reading and finalize the policy immediately.

During the superintendent’s report, Dr. Suzanne B. Gallusi, the interim superintendent, told the committee she would publish her transition plan on the district website and focus on maintaining continuity of instruction while leading a midyear handoff. She said the district had already shared guidance with staff about federal executive action affecting immigration and Title IX and emphasized the district’s commitment to student wellbeing: "The well-being of our students is paramount," she said, adding that the district will continue following FERPA regulations and recently updated Title IX policies.

Gallusi outlined priority areas for her interim role: building relationships with families, principals and city leaders; conducting an operational overview across academics, finance, facilities, IT and athletics; leading the FY26 budget process; engaging in contract negotiations with multiple bargaining units; continuing work with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) on Medford High School planning; and preparing academic and staffing plans for the 2025–26 school year. She described planned outreach including school visits, caregiver meetings (in-person and Zoom), weekly community communications and meetings with advisory groups such as CPAC and LPAC.

Committee members praised the clear statement of district practice and urged the administration to finalize communication and operational details quickly. The policy includes specific operational steps for principals and transportation staff should immigration agents appear on a campus or school bus: staff should request identification and a copy of any judicial warrant, not admit agents until the superintendent and legal counsel review the order, and notify the superintendent’s office immediately. For students whose parents or guardians are detained, the policy requires the district to contact emergency contacts, make counselors available, contact the Department of Children and Families if no responsible adult is available, and consult the McKinney-Vento liaison if the student becomes unhoused.

The committee also approved two other items by unanimous roll call during the meeting: the consent agenda (approval of bills and payrolls, capital purchases, donations and minutes) and the appointment of Member Rousseau as Medford’s representative to the Short Educational Collaborative Board of Directors; both measures passed 7–0.

The adopted immigration-enforcement policy and Gallusi’s transition plan will both be posted to the district website; administrators said they will follow up with principals and transportation staff to finalize training and communication protocols.