Residents and educators press committee to restore Safe Zone resolution after last-minute removal

Several teachers, parents, students and community advocates told the New Bedford School Committee on Tuesday they want the district to adopt a "Safe Zone" resolution affirming that schools are safe for students regardless of immigration status, and they asked why the item was removed from the evenings agenda.

"We were asking you to approve the safe zone resolution and make it known that New Bedford schools supports the safety of its students and families," said Michelle Willis, a New Bedford paraeducator who said she spoke on behalf of the NBC SOS school policy working group. Willis said the resolution had been on the agenda until a May 9 revision removed it and asked what motivated the change.

Several speakers described fear in immigrant families and asked the district to make an explicit statement of support. "We need real safe school zones free from fear, free from ICE, free from over policing," said Frederica Frayer, a New Bedford High School student representing New Bedford Save Our Schools Coalition. Frayer told the committee that students "don't feel protected" when enforcement agencies are visible near schools.

Keith Middle School seventh-grade math teacher Emily Markham described parents who keep children home because they are worried about immigration enforcement. "When a parent sends me a message like this, it is not enough to sympathize and say, I understand your fears. I want to be able to say, send her to school. She is safe here," Markham said. She asked the committee to adopt the Safe Zone resolution so staff can point families to a formal, posted policy.

Student representative Elliot, who said he helped draft the document, told the committee the resolution states "it is the right of every child, regardless of immigration status, to access a free public pre-K through 12 education." Elliot said the items removal from the agenda prevented a public vote.

Committee discussion afterward included a motion by a member to add the Safe Zone resolution to next months agenda; the chair said he would place it on the agenda. No vote on the substance of the resolution occurred Tuesday.

Speakers asked the committee to use existing state guidance as a baseline; Emily Markham referenced the Massachusetts attorney generals guidance for schools in her remarks. The committee did not take a formal vote on the resolution Tuesday but agreed to consider it at a future meeting after members asked for clarification about the process for adding items to the agenda.