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Alma’s Board of Trustees approves Access to Education, Student Privacy, and Immigration Enforcement Policy
On Monday, March 24, 2025, the Alma del Mar Board of Trustees formally approved Alma’s Access to Education, Student Privacy, and Immigration Enforcement Policy. As we communicated in late January, this policy ensures that Alma will protect the rights of all students and families and outlines how Alma will enforce those protections in the case of ICE activity.
You may review the approved policy on Alma’s website, under “For Families” → “Handbooks & Policies.” As a reminder:
- Alma does not ask families for their immigration status, nor require proof of citizenship. If an individual does have information about someone’s immigration or asylum status, this may not be entered in any school records and must be kept confidential.
- Alma will not permit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials access to school facilities, scholars, or records without an appropriate judicial warrant, court order, or subpoena.
- Alma staff and leaders have received training on how to respond in the unlikely occurrence that ICE agents do enter school grounds.
Recent Executive Orders regarding the U.S. Department of Education
We would also like to address the recent Executive Orders issued by the current administration regarding the winding down of the U.S. Department of Education. We understand that news like this can raise questions and anxieties among our colleagues and the families we serve. In challenging times, it is especially important that we be a source of good information.
Legal guidance suggests that only Congress, not an executive order, can close or reorganize a federal department. However, these orders and related policies have created uncertainty in the education community. While the courts are expected to address these matters over time, we don't foresee any immediate impact on our funding or operations. Regardless of these uncertainties, our commitment to our values remains unchanged.
I also want to underscore that our organization is strong, both financially and operationally, and we plan and manage carefully so that we can weather a storm like this. While federal funds are important, roughly 95% of our budget comes from state and local funds, which we reliably receive every month. In addition, we have enough resources on hand to ensure we can continue operating the school in case of an emergency.
If you would like to discuss any of this further, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
In Service,
Taylor DeLoach, Executive Director