LENNOX SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF EDUCATION

RESOLUTION NO. 16-16

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LENNOX SCHOOL DISTRICT ON THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE EDUCATION OF ALL CHILDREN AND MAKING ALL CAMPUSES A SAFE ZONE FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THREATENED BY IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT

WHEREAS, our community and county, just like many major cities in the United States, are the home and workplace of many immigrant communities, including persons with both documented and undocumented immigration status; and

WHEREAS, all students have the right to attend school regardless of their immigration status. The United States Supreme Court in 1982 ruled in Plyler v. Doe that public schools were prohibited from denying students access to elementary and secondary public education based on their immigration status, citing that children have little control over their immigration status, the life-long harm it would inflict on the child and society itself, and constitutional equal protection rights; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Education embraces the diversity of our students and families and the rich language and cultural assets they bring to our District, and strongly supports and encourages the participation of all parents and families in our schools; and

WHEREAS, in the last few months, federal, state and local government officials throughout the country have proposed or passed laws and ordinances that propose stemming the tide of undocumented immigrants by cutting off opportunities for jobs, government benefits, housing, and imposing fines on companies employing undocumented immigrants, thereby increasing tensions in immigrant communities; and

WHEREAS, reports of potential raids by the U. S. Immigration and Customs enforcement Office (ICE) have caused immigrant communities to fear sending and/or accompanying their children to schools and leaving their homes, even for needed medical services; and

WHEREAS, ICE activities in and around schools, early education centers, and adult school facilities would be a severe disruption to the learning environment and educational setting for students.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education, in solidarity with our immigrant community organizations, in light of the increasing tensions in immigrant communities, and the possible chilling effect on the educational rights of immigrant students and families by reports about ICE raids and proposals like some of the foregoing, the Board of Education hereby restates its position that all students have the right to attend school regardless of the immigration status of the child or of the child’s family members.

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education states that all District students who register for the following services and meet the federal and state criteria, are entitled to receive all school services, including free lunch, free breakfast, transportation, and educational services, even if they or their family are undocumented and do not have a social security number, and that no school district staff member shall take any steps that would deny students access to education based on their immigration status or any steps that would “chill” the Plyler rights of these students to public education.