From CT Post reporter Linda Conner Lambeck:
Declaring a state directive to protect immigrant students not enough, the city school board on Tuesday voted to declare its district a safe haven for all students.
The resolution, approved 6-0 with two abstentions, drew cheers from a group of immigrant families and supporters who waited out a lengthy school board meeting on other matters to hear the item discussed.Board member Sauda Baraka proposed the resolutions, saying the current political climate in the nation has resulted in students and families expressing fear and concerns for student safety.
… The resolution states that the district will protect student personal data, and not allow Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents onto school property without prior written approval of the superintendent.
Full story here.
Sauda Baraka proposed the resolutions, saying the current political climate in the nation has resulted in students and families expressing fear and concern for student safety.
“I am very concerned for the well being of the children in our district,” Baraka said. “Our families are frightened.”
Again, Sauda summed it up best, “Our families are frightened.” I hear and see how frightened school children are, there are children who are scared their friends and schoolmates will be arrested and taken away.
Excellent resolution. To be clear, this has nothing to do with Sanctuary City status. This is an excellent resolution that will give peace of mind to many families residing in Bridgeport!
A resolution is a communication. Did the Board adopt this as Board of Education policy? Has the Board sent a formal directive to all Bridgeport public schools staff that they are not to cooperate with immigration enforcement measures? Did you receive a formal review from the city attorney to verify this is legal and within your authority?
Or is this simply a statement of defiance?
Hope you enjoyed the applause.
Dr. Johnson was directed to communicate the direction of the Board to all schools and staff formally.
Yes, no staff member is allowed to cooperate with ICE or any immigration officials.
Per statute, the BOE has sole authority over every school building and grounds, therefore it is our decision and no one else’s.
I for one have no interest in having the City Attorney’s opinion on this matter or any other matter.
Maria, so the Board acted without legal counsel to adopt a policy to defy an order by Immigration and Naturalization. What if it were a court order?
No ICE members are allowed on school property without written authorization from the Superintendent.
Maria, that’s BS. If I am an ICE officer with a USA warrant that I must serve on school property, there is nothing you can do about it. Everyone on this blog thinks all you have to do for a sanctuary designation is what the BOE has done. That is BS.
www .youtube.com/watch?v=K8E_zMLCRNg
Off subject a little. I can’t help noticing how the BOE is working together to address issues before them. I think maybe the new Superintendent and the changing of the guard may have had something to do with what appears to be civil agreements and disagreements. Now if G2 and Testa stay out of BOE business, it may stay that way.
Safe haven for all students, right? Since when has any of the Bpt Public Schools been really safe for any of its students? Fights, assaults, troubles with parents, etc., and the BOE thinks their vote really means something? *** Board without real power or respect in the eyes of the city’s residents ***