SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) is joining school districts across the country in reaffirming its commitment to the safety and success of all its students. Many LTUSD families have shared concerns regarding recent changes in federal immigration policies and LTUSD has an agenda item during its meeting Thursday that will address those concerns.
“The District’s efforts will be to protect the rights of all students and keep them safe while in the District’s care,” says the agenda. The 6 p.m. meeting will be held in the District Office, 1021 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe.
Regarding these concerns, it’s important to know that California maintains its strong protection for immigrants, with policies that safeguard the rights of undocumented individuals, particularly in schools. The California Constitution guarantees all students, regardless of immigration status, the right to a free public education. Schools in California are not allowed to ask about a student’s immigration status, and they cannot share that information with federal authorities without a court order or legal obligation.
LTUSD staff has been discussing these concerns and the potential impact and stress that may be added to our families. During the January 23, 2025, Board of Education meeting, the Board requested that the superintendent bring forward a resolution declaring LTUSD schools as safe places for students.
The resolution on the agenda states all students have a right to a safe and welcoming education in accordance not only with California laws but also guaranteed in a 1982 Supreme Court ruling.
The proposed “A Safe and Inclusive School Environment Resolution”:
Whereas, The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Board of Education is
committed to the success of all students irrespective of their immigration status,
ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability, disability, sex, gender, expression of gender, national origin, socioeconomic status, or ideological beliefs;
Whereas, The Board of Education embraces the diversity of our students and families and the rich language and cultural assets they bring to our District and strongly supports and encourages the participation of all parents/guardians and families in our schools;
Whereas, All students have a right to attend school regardless of their immigration
status, the United States Supreme Court in 1982 ruled in Plyler v. Doe that public
schools were prohibited from denying students access to free public education based
on their immigration status, citing that children have little control over their immigration status, the lifelong harm it would inflict on the child and society itself, and constitutional equal protection rights;
Whereas, State and Federal laws prohibit educational agencies from disclosing
personally identifiable student information to law enforcement without the consent of a parent or guardian, a court order or lawful subpoena, or in the case of a health
emergency, LTUSD will follow specific guidelines established by the California
Attorney General;
Whereas, On January 1, 2018, the California Values Act went into effect which ensures that no state and local resources are used to assist federal immigration enforcement and that our public schools, our health facilities operated by the state or a political subdivision of the state, our public libraries, and our courthouses are safe spaces for everyone in our community;
Whereas, Reports of potential raids by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office (ICE) have caused immigrant communities to experience increased levels of fear, the presence of ICE in and around schools could be a severe disruption to the learning environment and educational setting for students and their families;
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, The Board declares its unequivocal commitment that every school district site shall be safe and welcoming for families and a place for all students to be able to receive a quality education;
Be It Further Resolved, The Board reaffirms its focus on promoting and elevating
tolerance, inclusiveness and kindness to all students, families, and staff at all district
school sites, facilities, and material property;
Be It Further Resolved, The Superintendent shall direct schools in restricting the
sharing of student files and information that may be used to ascertain the legal status of students, in accordance with federal and state law;
Be It Further Resolved, The Superintendent shall ensure that there is adequate
training and/or support available for staff that desires more training and/or support in dealing with students who feel unsafe on a District school campus or are facing
possible deportation. The Superintendent shall keep the Board of Education updated
on the status of any training and other activities;
Be It Further Resolved, The Superintendent shall ensure that there are unifying
activities occurring within the District to support diversity, inclusion, tolerance, equity and acceptance;
Lastly, Be It Further Resolved, The Superintendent shall ensure that all
parents/guardians and students will receive notification of this resolution to fully inform them of their rights and the information they can access from the School District.
For the complete agenda, and instructions on how to participate, visit https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36030287.