Dear Fresno Unified School District Board of Education:

We are parents, students, educators, faith leaders, constituents, community members, and organizations who care deeply about the Fresno Unified School District (“FUSD”), and its role in fostering a safe and healthy learning environment for all of its 74,000 students and their families.    

In light of the rhetoric and proposed policies resulting from the November 8, 2016 presidential election, the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, issued a statewide letter to all school district superintendents asking them to declare their school districts “safe havens” for students and their families.  Since that time, a number of school districts throughout the state have passed school board resolutions declaring their school districts “safe havens,” including large districts such as Los Angeles Unified, San Diego Unified, and Sacramento City Unified. 

 With its 74,000 students, Fresno Unified is the fourth largest school district in California. Our student body is one of the most diverse in the state with students from all different backgrounds, ethnicities, and religious groups.  Many of our students speak languages other than English, and include large percentages of Spanish and Hmong speaking students.  In fact, according to FUSD statistics, there are over 59 languages other than English spoken by our students in FUSD.

Unfortunately, FUSD parents, students, and educators have recently reported issues of bullying and harassment related to students’ religious affiliation and/or immigration status. Our students and their families feel vulnerable, scared, and worried about what the future may hold for them. 

It is vitally important to us that the Fresno Unified School District do everything within its power to protect our students and their families from potential violations of their rights.  Remember, the 1984 Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe requires schools to enroll all eligible children regardless of their citizenship or immigration status.  Moreover, California school districts must follow the numerous federal laws and the California Education Code that sets strict parameters related to the privacy of student records. 

Based on the foregoing, we, the undersigned, call on the Fresno Unified School District Board of Education to adopt the “Safe Haven Resolution” below in order to send a strong message that the school district will do whatever it takes to support students and their families in this time of uncertainty.    

FRESNO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION RESOLUTION NO. _____

                 RECOGNITION OF A SAFE HAVEN SCHOOL DISTRICT

Whereas, The Fresno Unified School Board of Education is committed to the success of all students irrespective of their immigration status, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability, sex and gender identity, socio-economic status or beliefs. 

Whereas, The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America recognizes every individual’s right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; 

Whereas, The United States of America was built by diverse peoples, both native and immigrant alike; 

Whereas, Education has played a critical role in furthering tolerance and strengthening our society; 

Whereas, On November 8, 2016, voters in California and across the nation participated in the democratic process by casting votes; 

Whereas, California voters during the 2016 General election expressed strong support for public schools by embracing bilingual education through Proposition 58, strengthening funding sources through Proposition 55, and modernizing school facilities through Proposition 51, and; 

Whereas, The City of Fresno is one of the most racially/ethnically diverse major cities in the United States.

Whereas, 59 different languages are spoken in Fresno Unified School District schools including, Spanish, Hmong, Armenian, Korean, Tagalog, Cantonese, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Russian; 

Whereas, 50,203 of 74,155 students in Fresno Unified are of Latino/a descent, 65,775 are students of color, and more than 87 percent of students qualify for free and reduced lunch; 

Whereas, The national presidential election has resulted in thousands of students and families in Fresno expressing fear, sadness and concerns for student safety, heightened because of intolerant rhetoric made over the course of the 2016 presidential race; 

Whereas, Youth and families across the district have already experienced increased levels of hate speech based on their ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation since the election; now, therefore, be it, 

Resolved, That the Fresno Unified School Board of Education directs the Superintendent to support the creation of a safe haven school district. This status shall include: 

• Promoting tolerance and acceptance over hate speech;

 • Maintaining that, in compliance with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) 2011 policy stating that it will not conduct immigration enforcement activity at any sensitive location, which includes all district facilities and equipment, without permission by specific federal law enforcement officials; unless exigent circumstances exist; ICE shall not be allowed to enter school sites or district properties without prior written approval from the Superintendent.

 • Restricting the sharing of student files that may be used to ascertain the legal status of students;

 •  Designating FUSD school sites, facilities, and equipment as safe havens for students, families and the community;

 • Allocating adequate resources necessary to support diversity, inclusion, and the values of a multicultural society; 

 • Hosting a day of understanding across the District; 

 • Offering focused professional development opportunities for all levels of staff;

 • Endorsing a set of unifying activities determined by the school site;

 • Develop and implement a plan, in consultation with stakeholder groups, to fulfill the requirements outlined within this resolution and report back to the Board at the first Board meeting in March. 

Resolved further, That the Fresno Unified School Board work closely with the City, County and other state and local municipalities and community organizations to ensure our students and families are offered a protected space; 

Resolved further, That along with the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Fresno Unified School District Board of Education will submit a joint letter to the President, with the Superintendent, as well as any District students, families, staff, and community partners who would like to be added as signatories, affirming the that American ideals that are celebrated in Fresno culture contain a number of core ideals and values that include liberty, equality, democracy, individualism, equity, unity, and diversity and we will continue to celebrate them; 

Resolved further, That the Board reaffirms its focus on promoting and elevating tolerance, inclusiveness and kindness of all students, families and staff at all district school sites, facilities and material property;

Resolved further, That the Board reaffirm the authority of the Superintendent to protect the data and identities of any student, family member, or school employee who may be adversely affected by any future policies or executive action that results in the collection of any personally identifiable information to the fullest extent provided by the law; and, be it finally

Resolved further, That the Board reaffirms Fresno Unified School District’s unequivocal commitment to ensuring a safe educational environment for all students, serving as a safe haven school district for students and families threatened by immigration enforcement or discrimination, to the fullest extent provided by the law.