Lea la versión en español aquí.

The MVLA Board of Trustees affirmed a resolution in support of undocumented students at a board meeting on March 13. According to the resolution, the district commits itself to take all legal options to protect the immigration status information of undocumented students.

The resolution passed unanimously, carrying 5-0.

The district drafted the resolution on the basis of undocumented students’ constitutional right to education and its “[commitment] to fostering an environment in which all of its students are able to learn and excel.”

The complete resolution as written in the Board Meeting Agenda is posted underneath.

RESOLUTION 17-14

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MOUNTAIN VIEW LOS ALTOS HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH THE MOUNTAIN VIEW LOS ALTOS HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT’S SUPPORT OF UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

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

WHEREAS, the District seeks to make clear its commitment to support all of its students and their families, including those who may lack documentation bearing upon the validity of their immigration status; and

WHEREAS, an individual’s acquiring a high quality education increases the likelihood of that individual’s contributing positively to society’s overall well-being and prosperity; and

WHEREAS, 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, without regard to the students’ immigration status; and

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

WHEREAS, some of the District’s students and their families have expressed fear and concern about their immigration status;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board reaffirms its commitment that every school within the District shall be a safe and welcoming place for all District students to acquire a high quality education, and for their families to be essential partners in this effort; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, whenever 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/or religion, the District shall take all legally permissible actions to protect the privacy rights of its students and their families; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in particular, the District will continue its practice not to release to federal agencies or other authorities enforcing immigration laws any information regarding immigration status or related matters contained in pupil records 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; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the District will work closely with other local government agencies and community groups to ensure that all District students and their families, including those who may be undocumented, continue to be able to acquire an outstanding education within the District in a safe and supportive environment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a federal effort to create a registry based on any statutorily protected personal 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; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Superintendent is directed to work with District staff and counsel to develop procedures to implement and advance these resolutions.