Sarasota School Board reaffirms cooperation with ICE, other law enforcement

With the split-vote approval of a resolution put forth by Sarasota School Board Chair Bridget Ziegler on Tuesday, the Sarasota County School District reaffirmed its stance on collaboration with federal immigration and other law enforcement authorities.

Tom Edwards and Liz Barker voted against the resolution, which in part reads: “No School Board member, employee, contractor, volunteer, or representative shall impede, obstruct, or interfere with the lawful actions of any law enforcement agency, including U.S. DRAFT Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Any such conduct shall be deemed a violation of this resolution, district policy, and potentially applicable laws, subjecting the individual to disciplinary action up to and including termination, as well as referral for criminal investigation if warranted.’’

“It personally hurts me when I hear how there is such a strong rhetoric that is really demonizing the work of our law enforcement officers including ICE,’’ Ziegler said. “There is significant harm caused by the rhetoric.’’

Edwards appeared recently at an anti-ICE rally, speaking out against the shooting death of a woman by a federal agent in Minneapolis. Since then, the Republican Party of Florida has called for his removal from the school board.

Public comments provided by dozens of speakers, both in a rally preceding the meeting and during the meeting itself, urged school board members to reject the resolution.

Martin Hyde, a Sarasota resident and businessman, chastised both Ziegler and Edwards.

“Both are using fear, both are escalating divisions when their actual job is to run a school system,’’ he said.

District officials say immigration status is not kept on students, as per federal law. Ziegler said the resolution was a reaffirmation of normal district policy.