Trustees on Thursday unanimously approved a resolution to designate all Dallas ISD schools as welcoming and protective to the fullest extent of the law.
The approved resolution states:
WHEREAS, The Dallas Independent School District Board of Trustees 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, the Dallas Independent School District Board of Trustees is committed to following the law and providing a high quality education to all students regardless of their immigration status, ethnicity, national origin, language, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, or socioeconomic status; and
WHEREAS, the Dallas Independent School District is committed to providing a learning environment that facilitates the physical safety and emotional well-being of all students; and
WHEREAS, the Dallas Independent School District has adopted policies that prohibit discrimination, including harassment, against any student on any basis protected by law that creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or offensive educational environment (FFH (LOCAL); and
WHEREAS, the Dallas Independent School District recognizes that a safe and civil environment is needed for students to learn and attain high academic standards and to promote healthy human relationships (FFI (LOCAL)); and
WHEREAS, the Dallas Independent School District is committed to preparing all students for success; and
WHEREAS, there have been increasing instances of Dallas Independent School District students expressing anxiety and fear of them or their family members being deported; and
WHEREAS, under federal and state law, the Dallas Independent School District has no authority or role in determining the immigration status of any of its students or families, or enforcing federal immigration laws; and
WHEREAS, the Dallas Independent School District believes that it is in the best interest of its students to take action to assure all students and their families that disruptions to the learning environment shall not be tolerated; and
WHEREAS, in order to provide school environments that are as conducive to learning as possible every Dallas Independent School District campus must be designated as Welcoming and Protective of all students and their families to the fullest extent of the law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Dallas Independent School District Board of Trustees declares that every Dallas Independent School District campus is Welcoming and Protective of all its students and their families to the fullest extent of the law; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Dallas Independent School District is unequivocally committed to ensuring a school environment that is as conducive to learning as possible for all students and will facilitate each student’s physical safety and emotional well-being; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Dallas Independent School District Board of Trustees directs the Superintendent to ensure that the District ensures that students are aware of opportunities to gain access to college, in-state tuition, financial aid, scholarships, internships, and career opportunities, regardless of their immigration status; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, that nothing in this Resolution shall be construed to require an employee or agent of Dallas Independent School District to take any action in violation of federal or state law.
