Dear community member,
Our thoughts are with the two students and a staff member who were injured yesterday at Watsonville High. It is a great relief that they are expected to fully recover.
I join PVUSD Superintendent Heather Contreras in commending the Watsonville Police Department and Watsonville High staff for their exceptional, rapid response — which very likely prevented even more serious harm. Likewise, I want to commend the District for its proactive coordination with law enforcement and mental health professionals to ensure students and staff are safe and supported as they return to campus today.
This is a moment to reaffirm our core commitments to student safety. Every student deserves a safe, welcoming school environment. That safety has also been in the spotlight this week amid reported surges in the presence of immigration enforcement agents in our region, which has understandably increased concern and anxiety in our immigrant community.
To be clear, Santa Cruz County schools remain places of safety, and we will assertively protect the rights of students and their families to access public education, regardless of immigration status. Our comprehensive local policies and procedures have been further strengthened by recent changes to state law that underscore our existing practices.
Recent legislation strengthens these protections: AB 49 prevents any on-campus immigration enforcement and information sharing without a signed judicial order; SB 98 requires notification to school communities if federal enforcement occurs on campus; AB 495 expands caregiver authorization so students can stay enrolled and supported.
Working with districts and state and local partners, we continue to update and provide resources for families and educators, including:
- Guidance for districts and schools on our Immigrant Community Policy & Support Hub
- Local legal aid, family preparedness materials, and community resources at susderechos.info.
- Encouraging families to complete Childcare Safety Plans to ensure a plan is in place for care following any separation.
To date, we are not aware of any attempted immigration enforcement at Santa Cruz County schools. Thank you to everyone who upholds our shared commitment that every student in Santa Cruz County feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.
Yours in education and equity,
Dr. Faris Sabbah
Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools