WHEREAS, the Teaneck
Board of Education recognizes and celebrates the unique ethnic, racial, and
cultural diversity of our school district; and
WHEREAS, the Board has
taken note of recent political rhetoric targeting undocumented residents and
various immigrant and religious populations in our country; and
WHEREAS, the Board
desires to assure all Teaneck residents of the district's commitment to
educating all school-age children who live in the district, as required by law;
and
WHEREAS, U.S. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy characterizes public schools as “sensitive
locations,” places where, in the normal course, enforcement actions should not
occur; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE
IT RESOLVED
that while the Board acknowledges the mission of law enforcement agencies
charged with enforcing our Nation's immigration laws, it views its own role as
assuring the education of all school-age children for so long as they may
reside in Teaneck, not as an agent of law enforcement; and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED
that the Board reaffirms its commitment to equal opportunity for all school-age
students residing in Teaneck to attend, and to enjoy all opportunities and
benefits available in, the schools of our district, regardless of ethnicity,
race or immigration status, and free from harassment or intimidation, for so
long as they may reside in Teaneck; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board
will protect student confidentiality and will not share private information
unless required by law or a court order, and we expect all persons employed by
the Teaneck Schools to protect student privacy and confidentiality, as well;
and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED
that in keeping with this commitment, the Board's General Counsel shall advise
the Administration regarding the limits of the district's obligation to
cooperate with federal immigration authorities, and that the Administration
shall refrain from voluntary cooperation beyond those limits.