LAKEPORT >> The Lakeport Unified School District board will discuss edits to a set of non-discrimination policies the a meeting on Thursday, September 6. The edits, if adopted, would expand the language of district policies to include immigration status alongside student characteristics like ethnicity, sexual orientation, and religious beliefs.
Many of the changes come in response to the 2017 California AB 699 law regarding “Educational equity: immigration and citizenship status,” which states that “With great risks of changes to approaches to immigration policies and enforcement at the federal level, it is more important than ever for California to work to protect students and ensure that, regardless of their immigration status, they may continue to take advantage of the education to which they are entitled, free from intimidation or risk of a loss of access to resources and programs that other students enjoy.”
Other changes respond to Attorney General policy and another 2017 state law, SB 31, both of which “prohibit districts from compiling or assisting in the compilation of a registry based on immigration status, religion, or other specified characteristics,” according to Superintendent April Leiferman.
AB 699 requires that school districts notify the parents and guardians of their students “regarding their children’s right to a free public education, regardless of immigration status or religious beliefs.” In the LUSD’s proposed edits to its nondiscrimination policy BP 0410, the district would require “annual parental notification” on this topic.
In proposed changes to the district’s policy on hate-motivated behavior, the notification procedure following such behavior would be changed. Students or their parents or guardians affected by such behavior would be encouraged to report their grievance to a teacher, the principal, or another staff member. The contacted adult would then report the situation to the principal or a “compliance officer” responsible for responding to discriminatory behavior. The current policy urges students, parents and guardians to approach this officer directly.
Another administrative regulation, AR 5148.2, may be changed to assure priority enrollment for foster youth and homeless students.
In another agenda item, the LUSD board is likely to nominate Senator Mike McGuire for the California School Boards Association Outstanding Legislator Award. In the proposed resolution, the school board cites most prominently McGuire’s efforts in the Lake County Student Fire Relief Fund. The fund, according to the board, will “help to replace school clothes, supplies, musical instruments and sports equipment lost” due to the Mendocino Complex Fire. The resolution also cites McGuire’s advocacy for school funding statewide as a reason for his nomination.
During the board meeting Thursday, other relevant topics will include the LUSD’s use of Measure T funding, beginning-of-year school openings, volunteer assistance policies, and chronic absenteeism.
