Community Update: School Safety, Attendance, and Family Support 

(Posted 1.28.26)

Dear Staff and Community Members,

Recent immigration enforcement activity in our region has created stress and uncertainty for some of our students, families, and community members. During times like these, what children need most is stability, care, and a sense of normalcy. Our schools remain safe, supportive places where students can learn and feel secure.

What is helpful right now

• Caring for students and ensuring they feel safe, supported, and valued
• Staying focused on education and keeping the school day as normal as possible
• Organized community efforts that safely support families

What is not helpful

• Jumping to conclusions or sharing unconfirmed information
• Spreading rumors that increase fear or anxiety
• Interfering with school operations, including following school buses or coming onto school campuses

District Support

Our schools have clear protocols in place if enforcement activity occurs on or near school grounds or at bus stops. Staff are trained and prepared to respond while supporting students and families.

• Federal law enforcement agents are not permitted on school grounds or school buses without a valid judicial warrant or court order. If proper documentation cannot be verified, access to district property is not permitted.
• Bus drivers have also been trained on how to respond if they observe suspicious activity near bus stops.

While we cannot control what happens in the broader community, we do have processes in place to ensure student safety while students are in our care. Family engagement specialists, social workers, counselors, principals, and other support staff remain in close contact with impacted families and are connecting them with resources and ongoing support.

Community Support

The district has received inquiries regarding ways to support families in need. Many local community organizations offer assistance with food, housing, and other basic needs. Families seeking resources are encouraged to contact local nonprofit service providers directly.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support our students and families. Our role is clear: to care for children, keep schools safe and steady, and remain focused on education.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Mike Funk

Superintendent

 

(Posted 1/21/26) 

Dear Pony Staff and Families,

We continue to receive questions from families, staff, and community members about how Stillwater Area Public Schools is supporting students during a time of heightened uncertainty in our greater community. At last night’s School Board meeting, I shared a brief update on our work and priorities. I encourage you to watch this segment as it provides helpful context on what is happening in our schools: https://www.youtube.com/live/13qJ7jpzlyQ?t=838s

Our message remains consistent and clear: our schools are safe spaces for all students, and every child belongs here.

Support for Students and Families

To address attendance concerns and ensure learning continues, we are taking the following steps:

• Providing devices, hotspots, and access to learning materials to a small number of families who do not yet feel comfortable sending their children to school. This allows students to remain engaged in learning and avoids enrollment disruption.
• Partnering with Valley Outreach to provide food support to families. While this work has been coordinated at the school level, it will transition directly to Valley Outreach staff beginning next week.
• Working individually with families to connect them with housing and rental assistance, county resources, and other community support.

Student Demonstrations

This week, students engaged in peaceful protests at two of our secondary buildings. Students have the right to express themselves, and we respect the importance of civic engagement. At the same time, the district must prioritize student safety and maintain political neutrality. Walkouts and protests are not sponsored or organized by the district, and when students leave school during the instructional day, standard attendance policies apply.

District’s Role in Community Discussions

As a nonpartisan public school system, district staff maintain professional neutrality on political matters. While individuals may hold a range of personal perspectives on current events, our core responsibility is unchanged: to educate students and ensure they remain engaged in learning within safe, supportive school environments.

We will continue to provide regular updates to our community and you can also visit our website for additional information.

Thank you for your continued trust and shared commitment to keeping our schools stable places for learning.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mike Funk
Superintendent

 

(Posted 1/14/26)

In recent days, Stillwater Area Public Schools has received questions and expressions of concern regarding Minnesota’s 15-day consecutive absence enrollment requirement, the availability of online learning, and student safety related to recent federal enforcement activity in our region.

First and foremost, our schools are safe places for children to learn.

Students are engaged in their classes, schools are calm, and our focus each day remains on providing a stable, supportive educational environment for every child.

Safety Protocols and School Access

Stillwater Area Public Schools has clear protocols in place regarding safety and access to district property. Federal law enforcement agents are not permitted on school grounds without a valid judicial warrant or court order. If proper documentation cannot be verified, they are not allowed to enter and are expected to leave district property immediately.

Our building administrators know just what to do in such a situation, and we have long-established safety protocols in place in the event of any type of disruption to our regular school day. These procedures are well established, and staff are prepared to respond appropriately should a situation arise. Our schools continue to operate as normal learning environments.

Attendance and Enrollment

We want to be clear that students are not automatically dropped from enrollment after 15 consecutive days of absence. At this time, the district is working with a small number of families who are experiencing unique and complex circumstances related to attendance. Every situation is different, and we are responding individually and thoughtfully, consistent with state law, district policy and individual student needs.

Supporting Families

We recognize that increased enforcement activity in the broader community has created fear and uncertainty for some families. In response, our schools and district staff are working directly with affected families to provide support, including food assistance and technology access to help students remain connected to learning when possible. Across the district, staff are doing meaningful, compassionate work to ensure students feel supported and cared for.

Stillwater Area Public Schools remains committed to in-person learning as the primary and most effective instructional model for students. At this time, the district is not implementing a district-wide online learning option. Families experiencing challenges are encouraged to contact their school’s principal, who is best positioned to understand individual circumstances and discuss available options.

How the Community Can Help

We ask our broader community to support students and families in ways that strengthen stability and care beyond the school setting. Helpful ways to support include:

• Donating food, household items, or funds to local food shelves and community resource organizations
• Supporting neighbors through informal check-ins, transportation help, or shared childcare when appropriate
• Participating in neighborhood watch or community safety efforts that promote awareness without escalating fear
• Volunteering with local nonprofits that serve families, youth, and immigrants
• Extending kindness, patience, and understanding to families navigating uncertainty
   

While concern for students is understandable, heightened activity around school sites can unintentionally increase stress and disruption for students and staff. Our shared goal should be to protect the learning environment and the well-being of children.

We encourage families and community members to contact their school or the district office directly if they have questions or concerns, so they can receive accurate information before assumptions or rumors spread.

We care deeply about our students and families and appreciate the continued partnership of our community as we work together to support learning, safety, and student well-being. Questions related to individual student circumstances should be directed to your school’s principal.