Sonoma school board tackles ‘safe haven’

Will consider resolution commiting to ‘uphold civil rights’ of students, families|

Earlier this month, an estimated 70 people, most wearing red and waving red paper hearts, asked the Sonoma Valley Unified School District to approve a measure making the schools “safe havens.”

The board couldn’t do anything about the proposal that night because it wasn’t on the agenda, but the district called a special meeting for tonight, and the item is one of only two on the agenda.

The meeting was also moved from the Community Meeting Room to the library at Altimira Middle School, 17805 Arnold Drive. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m.

About a dozen people including community activists and students addressed the board that night. And while the board listened intently, it wasn’t supposed to comment on anything that’s brought up during the public-comment portion of the meeting. But the four members of the board who were there that night did make a few comments.

Board President Dan Gustafson said the proposed resolution reaffirms the district’s policies and commitment to upholding the civil rights of all its students and their families under the U.S. Constitution.

“We resolve to protect the safety and privacy of our students to the greatest extent possible,” Gustafson said. “All of our families, documented or undocumented, have constitutional rights, and there is safety in knowing and being prepared to exercise those rights.”

He said the district is committed to educating people on their rights, how to exercise them, what their options are – and who can help them. The district is also educating its employees about their roles in helping to protect families in uncertain times

“Superintendent Louann Carlomagno is already collaborating with various community organizations to obtain the support necessary to achieve these goals, and to provide support to organizations who share the same objectives,” he added.

One point Gustafson made was that students must be safe to focus on their education.

“That won’t happen if they don’t feel safe and welcomed at our schools,” he said. “Students have protections afforded to them by state and federal laws, and we want them to take comfort in knowing that the district takes those laws and protections very seriously.”

According to the resolution under consideration, the school board would declare its unequivocal commitment that every Sonoma Valley Unified School district site shall be a safe and welcoming place for all students and their families, to better enable those students to receive a quality education.

The resolution also declares that any request by ICE for information or to access a school site shall be immediately forwarded to the superintendent who, in consultation with the district’s legal team, would determine whether or not to allow access to the school site or information.

Gustafson said the schools are already “safe havens” or “sanctuaries.”

“The terms ‘sanctuary’ and ‘safe haven’ traditionally refer to actual, physical places, and then by extension to a concept. In both the middle and modern ages, that place has most often been the church,” he said.

But he said the district still needs to be prepared for any eventuality.

“Resolutions that have been passed in California and around the country all acknowledge the fact that schools must obey lawful orders in the form of subpoenas, warrants or court orders,” he said. “We must seek refuge in our Constitution and in the law, through community organization, education about our rights, and competent legal counsel. We have to be prepared.”

The resolution will be translated into all “appropriate languages,” and made available at all school sites.

The district will also be sending copies of the resolution to the superintendent of the Sonoma County Office of Education and all representatives for the Valley serving in either the state legislature or Congress.

Email Bill at bill.hoban@sonomanews.com.

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