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Meeting Date:
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3/30/2017 - 6:30 PM
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Category:
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Reports and Communications from the Superintendent of Schools
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Type:
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Action
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Subject:
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1. Action on a Request to Discharge the Committee on Legislation, Rules and Policies from Further Consideration of Resolution 1617R-007 by Directors Joseph and Miller Regarding Safe Havens for Immigrants in Order to Take up Immediate Consideration of Said Resolution and to Accept Public Testimony on this Item
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Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
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Attachments
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Revised Resolution 1617R-007
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File Attachment:
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Background:
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At its meeting on February 23, 2017, the Board referred Resolution 1617R-007 by Directors Joseph and Miller Regarding Safe Havens for Immigrants to the Committee on Legislation, Rules and Policies. The Administration concurs with the Resolution and recommends the Board's approval. The Administration has worked closely with the Office of the City Attorney in preparation for its response.
Due to the timeliness of the Resolution, the Administration is requesting that the Board discharge the Committee on Legislation, Rules and Policies from further consideration of the Resolution and take up immediate consideration of this resolution. The Administration is also requesting that the Board take action, in accordance with Board Rule 1.09(2), to receive public testimony on this item at this time.
MPS believes in the equitable and fair treatment of all students and families. We welcome individuals of all ethnicities, religions, cultural backgrounds, immigration status, and sexual orientation or identity. In this district, we are all valued, and no one is pushed aside; this is a safe haven of learning and support.
If adopted, the Resolution directs the Administration “to be a safe haven for its students and families threatened by immigration enforcement or discrimination, to the fullest extent permitted by the law,” emphasizing the sharing of information about rights; ensuring that protocol regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers or other immigration-law-enforcement personnel’s access to schools is followed; and ensuring the protection of student information and continued non-collection or requirement of information related to immigration status.
As stated, the Administration is in agreement with the intent of the Resolution and already has procedures and practices in place addressing the information detailed in the Resolved and Further Resolved portions of the resolution. Some of these existing procedures and practices include maintaining the privacy and protection of students’ and families’ information according to FERPA guidelines, which includes:
- not asking for nor requiring information regarding immigration status of students or families;
- not sharing students’ or families’ information without prior parental authorization; and
- designating specific central office personnel that have singular authority to release students’ or families’ information.
While we have some of these practices in place, the Administration is committed to ensuring the highest level of protection and will undertake reviews of record-keeping policies and practices as well as a full review of district policies, procedures, and practices to ensure alignment with the resolution. As this will entail working with the Office of the City Attorney to update the policies and procedures once the review has been completed, the Administration requests bringing those recommendations by August 2017.
The additional immediate next steps, already in process, as outlined in the resolution include:
• establishing a District Immigration Advisory Group made up of community-based organizations, legal-services providers, and social services to assist students, families, and the district with resources and action on this topic;
• ensuring that all MPS sites serve as resource and information hubs for students and families related to immigration issues, including copies of the resolution and information on rights when interacting with law-enforcement and immigration agents;
• offering professional development opportunities for all staff, including designated immigration resource people, at each site; and
• designating a specific protocol for schools and central office if ICE officers or other immigration-law-enforcement personnel request entry.
As the Board and Administration move forward together in this work, it is our shared belief system that MPS serve as a safe haven to all students and families.
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Fiscal Impact Statement:
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This item does not authorize expenditures.
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Implementation and Assessment Plan
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Upon approval by the Board, the Administration will implement the procedures as outlined in the attachment.
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Recommendation:
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The Administration recommends that the Board:
1. discharge the Committee on Legislation, Rules and Policies from further consideration of the Resolution;
2. take up immediate consideration of this resolution; and
3. approve Resolution 1617R-007 by Directors Joseph and Miller Regarding Safe Havens for Immigrants, as amended.
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Approvals:
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Recommended By:
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Signed By:
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Keith Posley - Chief
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Signed By:
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Dr. Darienne Driver - Superintendent
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