Board Resolution: Commitment to Serve All Students

School board approves Resolution to serve all
Tuesday night school board members unanimously approved Resolution #03-2017 - Establishing Commitment to Serve All Students. The resolution reinforces the district’s commitment to serve all students, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status.

RESOLUTION #03-2017 - ESTABLISHING COMMITMENT TO SERVE ALL STUDENTS

A RESOLUTION of the Board of Directors of Walla Walla School District 140, Walla Walla County, Washington (the “District”), supporting a commitment to serve students, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status, in an equitable and inclusive environment so that students may learn and thrive.

WHEREAS, the U.S. Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe (1982) ruled that undocumented students have the same right to attend public schools as U.S. citizens and permanent residents; and

WHEREAS, Plyer v. Doe (1982) clarified that public schools shall not deny admission to a student on the basis of immigration status, shall not require students or parents to disclose or document their immigration status, and shall not make inquiries of students or parents that may expose their undocumented status; and

WHEREAS, RCW 28A.642 prohibits discrimination, including discrimination based on national origin; and

WHEREAS, the primary responsibility of Walla Walla Public Schools is to ensure that we serve all students, and that each and every one of them is assured every possibility to graduate ready for college, career and citizenship; and

WHEREAS, the diversity of our students is an asset that makes each classroom, each school, and the district overall stronger, more innovative, and more focused on the world beyond our walls; and

WHEREAS, we are committed to providing students their legal right to access free public K-12 education, regardless of their religion, their place of birth, their language, their citizenship, their refugee status, their immigration status, their parents’ immigration status or any other legally-protected characteristics; and

WHEREAS, the Walla Walla Board of Directors recognizes that encouraging, inclusive and respectful environments, where students know they are safe, supported, welcomed, respected, and valued, helps students achieve their potential and allows them to be successful; and

WHEREAS, we are committed to maintaining school communities where students, families, and staff are safe, respected, and valued, and where students can engage in the learning process without fear of bullying, harassment, intimidation or discrimination; and

WHEREAS, equity and social justice are critical to our democracy, and we are committed to the enhancement and continuous improvement of learning environments that communicate the acceptance, worth, and importance of all students; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors is committed to governing the district through a lens of equity and social justice and to developing and maintaining structures throughout the district that support this mission. 
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of Walla Walla School District 140 proclaims our schools supportive of immigrant students and their ability to learn and thrive. As such, our schools will provide a safe and supportive learning environment for all. The Board of Directors and Superintendent commit to model the values in this resolution, and ask each staff member to join in this commitment to our students.