Unit 5 teachers union praises immigration resolution

Posted on November 10, 2017

 

 

Teacher
The head of the Unit 5 teachers union applauds the recently adopted resolution declaring the district safe and welcoming for all. (WJBC File Photo)

 

By Howard Packowitz

The head of the Unit 5 teachers union is applauding the school board’s vote declaring the district safe and welcoming for all students.

The resolution passed earlier this week is intended to lessen the fears of so-called Dreamers, whose parents are undocumented immigrants.

The president of the Unit 5 Education Association, Karl Goeke, said the union partnered with board members, administrators, and union colleagues in District 87 in helping draft the resolution.

“When we sat down to write this language with the members of the Bloomington Education Association last year, we were excited for the unified message that we could send to the parents of children in our community,” said Goeke.

District 87 adopted a similar resolution earlier this year stating that agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, are not welcome on school property because they would disrupt the educational process.

Students’ immigration records are to remain confidential, unless required by law.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].

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