Resident urges Tolland schools to prepare plan after reports of aggressive enforcement activity near schools

Heather McCann, a Tolland resident, used the public-comment period to press the school board for an immediate, comprehensive strategy she said would protect students from “minimally trained para paramilitary forces,” which she alleged have entered schools and used tear gas. She said such groups can target anyone who looks like an immigrant and urged the district to train staff on protecting immigration information and detainment protocols; she offered sample resolutions and a safety-plan checklist to the administration.

Superintendent Walt Willett responded that the district has a written plan that is designed around legal requirements and specifies protocols and lines of communication; he said the plan had been shared with teachers and administrators and that he had recently reviewed it. Board members thanked McCann for bringing materials and said they would review her suggested resolutions and consider next steps, including coordination with town partners where appropriate.

Status: The board did not take formal action on the topic at the meeting but directed the administration to review the materials and to bring clarifying information back through the appropriate committees or staff channels.

Representative quote: "Its crucial to recognize that this issue extends beyond undocumented citizens... Our children and families need reassurances of their safety," McCann said in public comment.