Pittsburg, CA – In a 5-0 vote on the evening of Wednesday, January 11, 2017, trustees of Pittsburg Unified School District’s Board of Education passed Resolution #16-12 All Students Accessing A Quality Education – A Safe Haven Resolution.
The resolution is authored by School Board President, De’Shawn Woolridge and is signed by Woolridge and Superintendent, Janet Schulze. It is a declaration by the School Board to make the Pittsburg Unified School District a safe haven for children.
The newly adopted document (attached) states the Board of Education is committed to the success of all students irrespective of their immigration status, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability, sex and gender identity, social economic status or ideological beliefs. Additionally, the document states that immigration officials may not enter schools within Pittsburg Unified School District without prior written approval from the Superintendent and the district is restricting sharing of student information files that could be used to determine immigration status of children.
“I am proud to stand today with my Board Colleagues in solidarity of ensuring that all students within the borderlines of our District and community have access to a quality education in a safe and welcoming school, no matter their immigration status, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation or economic status,” said De’shawn Woolridge, PUSD School Board President. “Pittsburg is a community where we stand together as one people. Through this resolution, we are standing together as a District and as a community for our students and families that are being targeted through possible federal action. Our Board has always put students first, their needs and their concerns, first and foremost and the Board’s action via this resolution is another example of that taking place. When our students feel unsafe or experience mental distractions, then they are less likely to engage in academic instruction taking place in the classroom. This is the point in which the Board of Education must step in and step in is what we’ve done through this Resolution. We have adopted the “All Students Accessing A Quality Education – A Safe Haven Resolution,” to show our Pittsburg community that we will not just say our district is safe, we will ensure that our campuses are safe and welcoming places for all students and families. I thank Dr. Canciamilla for co-sponsoring this resolution, the Superintendent for her feedback to make this a strong resolution and the Board of Education for considering this resolution.”
###
About Pittsburg Unified School District
Awarded the College Board’s Gaston Caperton Opportunity Honor Roll award in 2016 for expanding access to college, Pittsburg Unified School District (PUSD) is one of 130 school districts across the nation recognized for creating opportunities for traditionally underrepresented students. PUSD is a K-12 district serving the community of Pittsburg, California. Founded in 1933, the school system is committed to providing an excellent opportunity for all students to learn. Comprised of eight elementary schools, three junior high schools, one comprehensive high school, one alternative education high school, an adult school, independent study options, and a preschool program, the school district serves more than 11,000 students. PUSD is located in the San Francisco Bay Area, fifty minutes outside of downtown San Francisco.
