William Penn SD board adopts immigration resolution; committee hears first readings on student and staff policies

At a Thursday policy committee meeting, the William Penn School District board of directors voted 6-0 to adopt an immigration resolution intended to reassure students and families that district buildings are safe zones and that the district will protect student privacy when approached by immigration enforcement.

The resolution, presented by Dr. Bicos, aligns with a model resolution from the National Education Association and was developed after discussions with the district’s WPEA president, Andrea Fink, and the district solicitor, David Khan. “It really supports the fact that we as a district have the responsibility for educating all students who reside within our boundaries,” Dr. Bicos said. The resolution states the district considers its schools “to be safe zones for its students, meaning that it is a place for students to learn, thrive, and to seek assistance, information, and support.”

The resolution directs school staff to refer any request for records or on‑site access by immigration law enforcement to the superintendent’s office so district officials can review requests for…