Balsz School District

Resolution
Success For All Means Safety For All:
Balsz Elementary School District Campuses as Safe Zones
and Resource Centers for Students and Families

WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court held in Plyler v. Doe (1982) that no public school
district has a basis to deny children access to education based on their immigration status, citing
that children have little to no control over their immigration status, the harm it Would inflict on
the child and society itself, and equal protection rights of the 14th Amendment;

WHEREAS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) of the Department of Homeland
Security activities in and around schools, early education centers, and adult school facilities
and/or fear and anxiety around such potential activities would be a severe disruption to the
learning environment and educational setting for students; and

WHEREAS, ICE’s 2011 policy states that it will not conduct immigration enforcement activity
at any sensitive location, which includes schools, without special permission by specific federal
law enforcement officials or unless exigent circumstances exist; and

WHEREAS, Balsz Elementary School District No. 31 (Balsz) prides itself on being a beacon of
diversity, understanding, and acceptance;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that:

1. The Board declares that every Balsz school site is a safe place Where students and their
families can seek help, assistance, and information, if faced With fear and anxiety about
related immigration enforcement and/or “registration” efforts, or any other efforts to
curtail or deny civil or human rights, and that We Will protect our students’ Free Speech
and promote civic engagement across every grade level and learning context;

2. The Superintendent shall establish all schools as resource and information sites for
students and their families, and the Board encourages the Superintendent to increase and
enhance partnerships with community-based organizations and legal services
organizations Who provide resources for families facing deportation and/or registration
and/or other civil rights restrictions;

3. In order to provide a public education, regardless of a child or family’s immigration
status, the District shall abide by the following conduct:
a. District personnel shall treat all students equitably in the receipt of all school
services, including, but not limited to, educational instruction, the free and
reduced lunch program, and transportation;
b. District personnel shall be reminded not to inquire about a student’s immigration
status, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, including that of family members
c. Any request related to immigration status, or by anyone tasked with registering or
profiling people of a particular religion, race or ethnicity for information or toaccess a school site shall be immediately forwarded to the Superintendent (or in
his absence, the Assistant Superintendent) for review and a decision on whether to
allow access to the site, and/or the infonnation to ensure District compliance with
Plyler and other applicable laws;
d. The Superintendent shall ensure all teachers, school administrators, and other staff
will be trained on how to implement these directives, and notification will be
distributed to families to fully inform them of their rights in the District;

By this Resolution, the Governing Board affinns its commitment to a safe, welcoming and
inclusive school for every student without regard to their race, color, national origin, religion, sex
or disability.

Signed this 5"‘ day of September, 2017.

Derrence (D.B.) White, President

Vic Grace, Board Clerk

Gail Q. Knight, Member

Channel Powe, Member

Todd Schwartz, Member

Download Signed .pdf document: Balsz School District Campuses as Safe Zones and Resource Centers for Students and Families (Resolution)