The David Douglas School Board adopted a resolution Wednesday saying district schools must be safe and welcoming for students regardless of national origin or immigration status.

The board voted unanimously to approve a second reading of the “Resolution on Safe and Welcoming Schools for All Students,” which affirms that the district will provide multilingual resources, work with community partners, and include advocacy for programs such as DACA and temporary protected status in its legislative agenda.

The resolution says the district "will not provide assistance to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, in the enforcement of federal civil immigration laws" and that ICE may access district facilities only when the district is provided with a criminal warrant. It also directs the superintendent to report to the board within 30 days on implementation steps, including completion of staff and volunteer training for responding to law-enforcement requests for information and entry to district property.

Board members framed the action as both a message and a practical step. Board member Jose (last name not specified in the transcript) said the resolution will be followed by proposed policy language to add immigration status explicitly to the student non-discrimination provisions in student policy. Board members thanked union partners and community organizations who helped shape the language.

Melissa McCoy, identified at the meeting as director of educational access and programs for Latino Network, attended the meeting and the board noted her presence as a partner in supporting immigrant and refugee communities.

The board read the resolution aloud after the vote. The adopted language cites the district's enrollment and staff demographics, references ORS 181A.820 (prohibiting state/local agencies from using resources to enforce federal immigration law), and reiterates that staff should not inquire into or disclose a student’s immigration status outside of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and other relevant laws.

Board members said they intend to bring a related policy change forward to place protections into district policy as well as into practice.

The motion passed by roll call: Barrow, Ender, Virginia Lopez, Franklin, Camara Josen, Steens and Nguyen voted aye. The resolution was adopted and will be posted and implemented according to the timelines in the document.

The district indicated it will work with union partners, the Oregon Department of Education and immigration advocates to provide training and community resources and will include advocacy for DACA, TPS and refugee resettlement programs in its legislative agenda.