Governance committee backs drafting 'safe zone' policy to reassure immigrant families

The governance committee reported that it reviewed a sample policy proposed to designate schools as official “safe zones” intended to reassure students and families that immigration enforcement actions would not occur at school sites. Governance chair Mr. Bau told the board the committee “wholeheartedly approved the policy” at the committee level and will have a written version on a future agenda for board consideration.

Mr. Bau said the policy language was supplied in the meeting agenda and described the measure as a codification of procedures the administration already follows to keep students safe and foster an environment conducive to learning.

During governance remarks the committee also reviewed two versions of next year’s school calendar; because Labor Day falls on Sept. 7 in the upcoming year, the committee recommended starting school on Sept. 3 so the academic year would end earlier in June.

No final board action was taken on the safe-zone policy at this meeting; Mr. Bau indicated administration would prepare a policy draft to appear on a future meeting agenda. The board chair noted the policy largely formalizes existing administrative procedures rather than introducing wholly new practices.