Superintendent Laurie Putnam Says ICE Not Targeting St. Cloud Schools

(KNSI) — The top official with District 742 is trying to mend fences as she discusses an inflammatory social media post made earlier this week by a school board member.

Natalie Copeland took aim at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, President Donald Trump, and his voters in a Facebook post. Superintendent Laurie Putnam is trying to reassure people that the schools treat everyone fairly. “We work very hard to be this community’s public schools, and I mean that sincerely. We do not care what students’ political perspectives are, what students’ race, ethnicity, gender – any of that, right? We serve all students proudly in this community.”

Putnam reminds people that board members are elected officials and act as her boss. She can’t reprimand or take any action against the board member, only explain her perspective.

Another thing Copeland alleged is that students are living in fear of federal immigration raids. Putnam tells KNSI there has been no attempt by ICE to enter a District 742 building. “I do understand that there’s a lot of fear for some people in our community, but I can say with 100% honesty and transparency that ICE has made no communication with our school district. They are not looking to come into our buildings.”

Copeland eventually deleted her post. She has since put up an apology. Immigration enforcement has picked up recently in the St. Cloud area.

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