a.     Yes, the United States Supreme Court has previously ruled in Plyler v. Doe that public schools cannot deny students access to attend school based on immigration status. Additionally, Cartwright is committed to providing safe learning environments for all students. CSD has never and will never ask for the immigration status of a student or their parents or their relatives unless required to by law. We do not share personal information about our students, and any immigration or law enforcement agent would have to provide appropriate legal documentation before being allowed to speak to a student for any reason.

a.     Yes. All CSD students, regardless of immigration status, will receive access to free meals, transportation for those who qualify, and academic services without interruption.

a.     The only way any agency representative will have contact with a student is with appropriate legal documentation and/or direct approval from a parent or guardian. Parents and guardians are required, in most instances, to be notified and provide consent prior to making a student available for a law enforcement interview. Click Here to review Policy related to the topic.

a.     No. If ICE officers or other agents appear at the school office and seek access to a student, school staff are directed to ask the ICE officers and agents to see appropriate legal documentation.  If presented, school staff will likely need to comply with the request. But, in most instances, parents or guardians would be contacted prior to the release of such information. Staff will contact and work with District legal counsel to determine an appropriate response.

a.     All personally identifiable information stored by CSD is protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

b.    Any records requested, including emails, student files, and personnel information, are generally protected unless a parent or guardian consents to the release of such records. The Cartwright School District has specific policies in place that protect information not considered “Directory Information.”Click here for appropriate regulation. (JR-R)

a.     Arizona's Proposition 314/House Resolution 2060, approved by voters on November 5, 2024, includes several provisions, some of which are currently in effect, while others are pending implementation.

b.    Provisions in Effect:

                                               i.     Creates criminal offenses for a person to knowingly present false documents to obtain public benefits or to evade workplace eligibility detection through the E-Verify program.  (A.R.S. 23-215). (“Public benefits,” as explained below, does not include enrollment in public schools)

                                              ii.     Adds requirement for agencies and political subdivisions of the State to use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (“SAVE”) programs to verify benefit eligibility and validity of documents for people who are not citizens or nationals of the United States.  (A.R.S. 1-503 and A.R.S. 1-504).

                                            iii.     Increases punishments for criminals who sell fentanyl that causes the death of another person.  (A.R.S. 13-3424).

c.     Provisions Pending Implementation:

                                               i.     Article 35 creates two state crimes for foreign nationals who enter Arizona at any location other than a lawful port of entry (A.R.S. 13-4295.01), and who refuse to comply with a legal order to return to a foreign nation (A.R.S. 13-4295.02). It also permits Arizona officers and agents to enforce federal immigration law if an officer or agent witnesses a person entering Arizona from a foreign nation at any location other than a lawful point of entry. The officer may pursue the individual and arrest them. The new law also allows an Arizona judge to order an individual removed from the U.S. (A.R.S. 13-4295, A.R.S. 13-4295.03). 

d.    Article 35 cannot take effect until a similar law in Texas has been in effect for 60 days. As of now, the Texas law has been temporarily blocked by federal courts, delaying the implementation of this provision in Arizona.

a.     A7:      No.   Proposition 314/House Resolution 2060 requires agencies or political subdivisions to use the Systemic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to verify a person’s citizenship and residency when the person is applying for a public benefit as defined in A.R.S. 1-501 & 502. Public benefits are defined by state and federal law as:

                                               i.     any grant, contract, loan, professional license, or commercial license provided by an agency [of the federal government or state];

                                              ii.     any retirement, welfare, health, disability, public or assisted housing, postsecondary education, food assistance, unemployment benefit, or any other similar benefit for which payments or assistance are provided to an individual, household, or family eligibility unit by an agency [of the federal government or state].

8 USC Section 1611 & 1621 - Public schools and those providing K-12 education to a student do not meet the definition of a “public benefit.” Therefore, schools are not required to utilize the SAVE program under the new law.

a.     All Cartwright students are entitled to a safe and nurturing learning environment. If you feel your student is being targeted, bullied, or harassed, please contact your school’s front office and ask for the Assistant Principal or the School Counselor. Click here for our District's non-discrimination policy (AC).  Click here for our District's bullying/harassment/intimidation policy. (JICK)