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Resident asks Marlington board to adopt 'safe zone' resolution for immigrant students
Summary
A retired teacher urged the Marlington board to adopt a ‘safe zone’ resolution to reassure immigrant students and families and supplied a sample resolution for board consideration. The request was made during public comment; the board did not act on the request during the meeting.
Kathleen Purdy, a retired teacher and resident of 361 Barcliff Avenue in Alliance, used her public-comment time to ask the Marlington Local School District Board of Education to adopt a “safe zone” resolution and district policy for immigrant students and families.
Purdy told the board such a resolution would “contain reassurances for students, procedures for responding to law enforcement, and information and support for families and staff,” and she said she had supplied the board with a sample resolution.
“Because all students should have the opportunity to learn without the fear and distress that results from harsh immigration enforcement,” Purdy said. She referenced federal case law that protects access to public education; the transcript referred to the case as “Eiler versus Doe,” but the controlling Supreme Court decision on access to K‑12 public education for children regardless of immigration status is Plyler v. Doe (1982).
Purdy said other districts — both large and small — have adopted similar resolutions and urged Marlington to consider a policy that would take effect immediately if the board followed its standard governance procedures.
The board did not take formal action on the request at the June 12 meeting. No board member committed to a timeline for consideration during the public meeting; advocates or staff may follow up through normal governance channels.
