“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense,” DHS stated.
Five residents who spoke during the meeting called for SOCSD to adopt the National Education Association’s safe zones policy.
“Given the likelihood of substantial disruption posed by the presence of ICE or state or local law enforcement agencies acting for ICE, any request by ICE or other agencies to visit a school site should be presented to the superintendent’s office for review as to whether access to the site is permitted by law, a judicial warrant is required,” a NEA sample board resolution reads.
The board took no action on the requests. Superintendent Tom Swaninger subsequently explained the district’s existing policies with regard to immigration officials during his monthly update.
If law enforcement agents arrive at a SOCSD campus with questions related to a student’s immigration status, “staff are directed to request that the officer remain outside of the campus and immediately notify me,” Swaninger said. “I will ensure that the proper protocols are followed, that the proper legal documents are in place … This is a fast-moving situation … and it is this chosen path at this time that could, upon reflection, even tomorrow, cause us to change our practices … But I want to assure all of you that we will follow the law and we will do everything that we can to ensure that we’re providing education to all of our students.”
Swaninger subsequently confirmed that immigration officials would be required to present a warrant or subpoena, provide proper identification and complete required SOCSD documentation in order to enter a campus, as parents and school visitors do.
“However, [staff] are not authorized to resist, obstruct or fail to comply with lawful immigration-related directives, nor can SOCSD limit or restrict the enforcement of federal immigration laws,” Swaninger said in reference to Arizona Revised Statute §11-1051.
School Funds
“That additional funding that is now becoming a part of our budget by no means puts us in a place that we can begin to spend frivolously in any way, shape or form,” Swaninger said. “As a matter of fact we are, we are going to be making additional cuts as well moving into next year. Because it’s just critical for the long-term health of our organization to deliver within our means.”
Swaninger subsequently said it was too early in the budget process to say where cuts might be made.
The board voted 4-0 to approve a 6% performance pay bonus for Swaninger, who is in the second year of a three-year contract with an annual salary of about $130,000. Governing Board member April Payne was absent.
“[Swaninger] had tough shoes to go because [former Superintendent Dennis Dearden] was great, but [Dearden] had a different role,” board member Lauren Robinson said. “Tom’s role [is] to bring us into the next level of education, and with his performance and development curriculum and professional development, his role is 20-fold in the district … And [we] built a great team, and every year we do approve raises for everyone. So [we] get the chance to get the rest of our administrative team and teachers and staff later on in the spring, butI think it’s crucial to make sure we hang on to him and continue to move forward and give him what he deserves.”
Calendar
The board approved SOCSD’s 2025-26 academic calendar, which will continue to include a late start at Red Rock High School and early release at WSS on Wednesdays.
“We believe it’s absolutely critical to our strategic initiatives moving forward and providing time for teachers, for professional development, as well as collaborative time … we’re only in our first year with this, but I am excited to continue this process,” Swaninger said.
Swaninger announced that 27 WSS students had auditioned for the second Sedona’s Got Talent competition against Sedona Charter School. SCS took the overall award last year thanks to Kiana Christopherson’s contortionist act.
The WSS competition will take place on Friday, Feb. 28, the Sedona Charter School competition on Tuesday, March 4, and the Grand Finale competition at the Sedona Performing Arts Center on Thursday, March 6. For more information, visit parangelloplayers.com/events.
Students of the Month
Emily Maher was announced as middle school student of the month and Yonas Rahman as high school student of the month. Basketball player Karina Diaz Rodriguez was named the athlete of the month and middle school social studies teacher Lindsey Webb was named staff member of the month.
At West Sedona School Lash Lupo, a third-grader, and Sophia Mangarrez, a fifth-grader, were named students of the month and fifth-grade teacher Katherine Linden was named staff member of the month.
