Board Resolutions

WHEREAS, an excellent public education system is vital to the quality of life for all California citizens and communities; and

WHEREAS, Turlock Unified School District Board Members are committed to children and believe that all children can be successful learners and that the best education is tailored to the individual needs of the child; and

WHEREAS, Turlock Unified School District Board Members work closely with parents, educational professionals and other community members to create the educational vision we want for our students; and

WHEREAS, Turlock Unified School District Board Members are responsible for building and maintaining the structure that provides a solid foundation for our school system; and

WHEREAS, Turlock Unified School District Board Members are strong advocates for public education and are responsible for communicating the needs of the District to the public and the public’s expectations to the District; and

WHEREAS, Turlock Unified School District’s mission is to meet the diverse educational needs of all children and to empower them to become competent, productive contributors to a democratic society and an ever-changing world;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Turlock Unified School District staff does hereby declare our appreciation to the members of the School Board and proclaim the month of January 2023, as School Board Recognition Month in the Turlock Unified School District, Turlock, California. We urge all citizens to join us in recognizing the dedication and hard work of the Turlock Unified School District Board Members and to work with them to create an education system meeting the needs of our children.

A RESOLUTION of the Board of Trustees (the Board) to declare student participation in Board meetings is to be encouraged, promoted, and valued; that school Board meetings are school settings while students are present representing school related functions and opportunities; that all current guidelines and requirements of Cal/OSHA, the Public Health Officer, and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will be followed.

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees includes student representatives, elected by their peers, to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board and administration;

WHEREAS, the Board promotes and values student participation in Board meetings to provide regular inspiration to the Board, administration, and the public;

WHEREAS, the Board promotes student participation in Board meetings to lead the flag salute and participate in other ceremonial activities at Board meetings;

WHEREAS, the Board encourages and values student presentations to the Board, administration, and the public;

WHEREAS, the Board encourages and values input and participation of students in our regular Board meetings;

WHEREAS, the Board intends to provide a safe environment for all present in Board meetings;

WHEREAS, the District's COVID-19 Safety Plan requires that adults wear masks while indoors with students;

WHEREAS, the State Public Health Officer Order of June 11, 2021 states, "All individuals must follow the requirements in the Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings issued by the California Department of Public Health;"

WHEREAS, the State Public Health Officer Order of June 11, 2021 states, "All individuals must continue to follow the requirements in the current COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California;"

WHEREAS, Cal/OSHA standards, as set forth in Labor Code section 3205(c)(6)(B) states "Employers shall provide face coverings and ensure they are worn by employees when required by orders from the CDPH;"

WHEREAS, the CDP H's Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings dated July 28, 2021, states, "Masks are required for all individuals in the following indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status[ ... ] Indoors in K-12 schools;"

WHEREAS, the CDPH's COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2021-22 School Year dated October 20, 2021 states, "Adults in K-12 school settings are required to mask when sharing indoor spaces with students;"

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Trustees constitute, at all times where students are present in any official capacity, or by invitation, a school setting;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board intends to follow all current and future guidance and requirements of the Stanislaus County Public Health Officer, California State Public Health Officer, CDPH, and Cal/OSHA during the conduct of Board meetings;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, as currently required by the CDPH and Cal/OSHA, individuals present indoors with students shall wear appropriate face coverings as prescribed by the PH.  

A RESOLUTION of the Board of Trustees of the Turlock Unified School District to declare that the lives of Black students, families, and staff are valued and that we encourage district-wide participation in the national Black History Month recognition of the contributions of Black Americans held annually during the month of February.

WHEREAS, in response to both currently and historically disparate treatment of African Americans, a nationwide movement has arisen to assert that lives of Black students, families, and staff are valued; and

WHEREAS, a national movement has arisen to assert that the lives of Black students, families, and staff are critical to the success of campuses that serve all children; and

WHEREAS, throughout our nation’s history, institutional and structural racism and injustice have contributed to deepening racial disparities across all sectors of society and have had lasting negative consequences for our communities, cities, and nation; and

WHEREAS, historically, when Black people have fought for a more democratic society, the lives of all people have improved and, conversely, each time barriers to Black people’s potential have been erected, our whole society has suffered; and

WHEREAS, specifically recognizing that the lives of Black students, families, and staff are valued does not negate our commitment to ALL of our students, but rather increases awareness of Black students’ struggle to trust that our society respects them, we must affirm that their lives, specifically, matter; and

WHEREAS, the problems of society are mirrored in schools, and these problems can only be fully addressed with a united effort of community and school coming together for the betterment of our students’ future; and

WHEREAS, numerous and diverse community groups, residents, and teachers wish to participate in the education, reflection, dialogue, and action in order to engage educational communities throughout Turlock in activities that support the understandings and affirmations that underlie the national movement to assert that the lives of Black Americans are essential; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees declares that the lives of our Black students are valued, the lives of our Black families are valued, the lives of our Black teachers and staff members are valued, and that all Black lives are valued as demonstrated by enacting equitable policies and practices to their fullest extent.

WHEREAS, the Turlock Unified School District Board, according to our District Mission Statement, Beliefs, and Strategies, advocates for a safe and caring student-centered environment in partnership with our families and diverse community that emphasizes the family experience and a positive school climate for all students, staff, and families.

WHEREAS, the Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees is committed to the success and safety of all students and Board Policy 5145.3 was adopted to provide a safe school environment that allows all students equal access and opportunities in the District's academic, extracurricular, and other educational support programs, services, and activities. The Board prohibits, at any District school or school activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying, targeted at any student by anyone, based on the student's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

WHEREAS, education has played a critical role in furthering diversity, tolerance, and strengthening our society; and

WHEREAS, the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America recognizes every individual's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Supreme Court in Plyer v. Doe 457 U.S. 202 (1982) has affirmed the right of all children to a free and appropriate public education regardless of immigration status; and

WHEREAS, California Education Code Sections 220, 234, et seq. assert the right of all students to be in a public school learning environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying, violence, and intimidation; and

WHEREAS, the Turlock Unified School District does not solicit, collect, or maintain information regarding student immigration status as per Education Code Section 48204.1 which only requires proof of physical residency and not of legal immigration status, place of birth, or social security number for enrollment; and

AND WHEREAS, the Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees is committed to cooperating with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to provide access to students in cases where student or community safety is immediately threatened due to criminal activity and does not include access to student or student records related to immigration status.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees directs the Superintendent to support a safe and secure learning environment for all students through the following actions:

1. Prohibit the release of student records without proper legal authority;

2. Direct staff to immediately notify the Superintendent or designee in the event that law enforcement seeks the release of student records and to allow time for the evaluation of such requests prior to the release of information;

3. Direct staff to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from entering school sites unless they have received permission from the Superintendent and have provided a proper warrant, subpoena, or court order;

4. Require staff to continue to treat all students equitably related to the provisions of all educational services and programs without regard to a student's national origin or immigration status as required by law;

5. Allocate adequate resources to support diversity, inclusion, and the values of a multi-cultural society, including counseling to any student who is experiencing anxiety or concern due to national and local conversations regarding immigration; and

6. Communicate this resolution and its essential points to staff and parents, translated in various languages, in a manner that the Superintendent believes to be most appropriate and

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Turlock Board of Trustees declares the District's commitment to ensuring a safe educational environment for all students.