Placentia-Yorba Linda school district adopts immigration status policy required by state law

A first-ever written policy outlining student rights regardless of immigration status has received a unanimous first reading from trustees of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District.

The policy is mandated by state law for all public schools, including charter schools. Other North County elementary, high school and unified school districts have adopted or are in the process of adopting similar policies, some based on a state-developed model document.

First reading of the single-page Placentia-Yorba Linda district policy came at a June trustee meeting. Adoption is anticipated after a second reading, expected at a July 10 session.

Basically, the law, Assembly Bill 699, adds a student's immigration status as a category protected from discrimination, along with already existing protections, such as for disability, nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity or expression.

The law was effective Jan. 1, with school districts given until July 1 to adopt an appropriate policy. State Assembly passage was 60-13, with north county members splitting their votes (Sharon Quirk-Silva yes, Phillip Chen no). State Senate passage was 31-6 (Josh Newman yes).

“This policy helps to ensure that no student shall be denied equal rights and opportunities nor be subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying in the district's programs and activities on the basis of his/her immigration status,” Richard McAlindin, the Placentia-Yorba Linda district's executive director of instructional support, reported to trustees.

Among provisions of the Placentia-Yorba Linda district policy:

--”District staff shall not solicit or collect information or documents regarding the citizenship or immigration status of students or their family members or provide assistance with immigration enforcement at district schools, except as may be required by state and federal law.”

--”No student shall be denied equal rights and opportunities nor be subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying in the district's programs and activities on the basis of his/her immigration status.”

--”The superintendent or designee shall notify parents/guardians regarding their children's right to a free public education regardless of immigration status or religious beliefs and their rights related to immigration enforcement.”

--”Consistent with requirements of the (state Attorney General), the superintendent or designee shall develop procedures for addressing any requests by a law enforcement officer for access to district records, school sites or students for the purpose of immigration enforcement.”

--”The superintendent or designee shall report to the board in a timely manner any requests for information or access to a school site by an officer or employee of a law enforcement agency for the purpose of enforcing the immigration laws.”