Before Cali Overs graduated this month, the Dysart High School student body vice president continued advocating for the safety of fellow students by asking the Dysart Unified School District’s governing board to protect students’ rights and remove the Surprise mayor from his position with the school district over plans for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in the city.
Overs was among several people during the May 11 Dysart governing board meeting who voiced concerns about the need for a district statement taking a stance against the planned ICE warehouse at 13290 W. Sweetwater Ave., which is within proximity of schools. Speakers also told officials to fire Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor from his safety coordinator job with the district.
As of the meeting night, Overs said a March 8 email she sent to the governing board and Dysart High’s principals had not been returned. She had asked for a public statement for students’ legal rights regarding ICE agents and how the schools uphold them.
