Rochester Schools See Absenteeism Spike Amid ICE Actions
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The ongoing immigration crackdown in Minnesota appears to be having a significant impact on attendance in the Rochester School District.
Rochester Public Schools Superintendent Kent Pekel says data gathered by the school system shows a large increase in absenteeism coincided with the arrival of thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota and their high-profile actions to detain undocumented immigrants. He says the number of students missing school has increased by about 500 when compared with December.
English Learners and Latino Students Most Affected
While noting that absenteeism often rises due to illness following the holiday break, Superintendent Pekel says the data shows the absenteeism rates are not evenly distributed among different student groups. He says overall absenteeism has increased 42% since last month, while the absenteeism rate among students receiving multilanguage learner services rose more than 116%, and the rate among Latino students was up 108%.
Pekel says information concerning how many of the absent students are undocumented immigrants is not available, since the school district does not collect any data concerning the immigration status of students or their families.
Superintendent Pekel discussed the absenteeism numbers and some facilities changes under consideration that could impact elementary age students in a number of schools during his regular monthly appearance on Rochester Today with Andy Brownell on News-Talk 1340 KROC-AM and 96.9 FM. Click on the link below to hear the entire interview.
School District ICE Policy
The superintendent recently issued a statement concerning school policies in the wake of ICE Operation Metro Surge. In it, he indicated the school district is following all applicable state and federal laws “while also taking steps to ensure that our schools remain safe and welcoming places for students, staff, and families.”
The statement highlighted an existing policy addressing potential ICE visits to Rochester Public Schools facilities. Any ICE agent, or other law enforcement officer, will be “directed to remain in the school office while our attorney reviews a judicial warrant signed by a judge or a subpoena that would be required to gain access to our facilities or to any student or staff member inside the building.” Pekel says that policy has also been expanded to cover all school grounds.
As of today, the Rochester School District has not had to deal with that type of situation.
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