SSFUSD Sets Forth Resolution 17-01 Principles In Support Of Undocumented Students & Families

South San Francisco, CA   January 31, 2017  

RESOLVED, by the Board of Trustees of the South San Francisco  Unified School District (District), in the County of San Mateo, State of California, that

WHEREAS, the District is committed to fostering an environment in which all students are able to learn and excel, whatever their national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ability, gender, or socio-economic status; and

WHEREAS, education is essential to all individuals’ ability to advance and thrive in our society and  the United  States Supreme  Court has held,  in Plyler  v. Doe,    457

U.S. 202 (1982), that local school districts  have  a constitutional mandate  to educate  all students residing within their jurisdictional boundaries, whatever the students’ immigration status; and

WHEREAS, the District welcomes and supports all of its students, regardless of their immigration status; and

WHEREAS, in light of recent developments  and  rhetoric  throughout  the  course of the recent national elections, many of the District’s students and families  have expressed fear and concern, owing to their immigration status; and

WHEREAS, the District seeks to make clear its commitments to support all of     its students and families, including those who are    undocumented.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the District  will  not  collect information regarding students’  and  families’  immigration  status  when  enrolling students in the  District.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that when the District or any of  the District’s  school sites receives a request for  information  that  implicates  individual  privacy  rights (including with respect to immigration status  and  religion),  the  District  shall take all legally permissible actions to protect the privacy rights of its students and families.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in particular, the District will not release information   regarding   immigration   status   or   related   matters   contained   in  pupil records to federal agencies or  other  authorities enforcing  immigration laws  without  the permission of the student’s parent or guardian or pursuant to a judicial warrant, subpoena, court order, or as otherwise required by   law.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the District will work closely with other local government agencies and community groups to  ensure  that  all  students  and  families, including those that are undocumented, are able to receive education in  a  safe  and  supportive environment.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED  that a  federal effort  to create  a registry  based on any protected characteristic, including national origin or religion, would be  antithetical to the United States and California constitutions and the values  of the District and if authorities seek to involve the District in the development of such a registry, the District will take all legally appropriate steps to resist such involvement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Superintendent is directed to work with District staff and counsel to develop policies and procedures implementing and advancing  these principles.

 

REGULARLY PASSED AND ADOPTED this 26th day of January, 2017.

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