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Superintendent Immigration Statement

 

Dear Othello School District Families,

 

As national immigration policies evolve, we understand that many of you may have concerns about how these changes could affect your children and our schools. Please know that the Othello School District remains committed to ensuring that all of our students—regardless of background—feel safe, supported, and valued in our schools. We are here for every student and every family, and we will continue to uphold that promise.

 

I want to reassure you that our district adheres to policies designed to protect students and families from any immigration enforcement activities on school grounds. Specifically, Othello School Board Policy 4300 outlines our strong stance on this issue. Here are the key points you should be aware of:

 

  • We do not ask questions regarding immigration status during enrollment.

  • We do not collect information about citizenship or immigration status.

  • We do not require social security numbers for enrollment.

  • We do not provide legal advice to students or families.

  • We do not act on behalf of immigration services.

Washington state law is clear that public schools have a constitutional and moral obligation to provide a free, high-quality education to every child, regardless of their immigration status. We are also prohibited from sharing student information with federal immigration authorities. In the event of any attempt to engage in immigration enforcement on or near school grounds, school staff will immediately refer the individual to the school principal or authorized designee. Any request to communicate with a student, enter school grounds, or conduct an arrest will require a valid court order or judicial warrant. Our principal, in coordination with district leadership, will carefully review the legitimacy of any such request to ensure it complies with legal standards.

 

Our core mission is to educate every child in our community. It’s important that we don’t let complex and potentially divisive issues distract us from that mission. It’s also important to remind ourselves of who we are and how we treat one another. In small communities like ours, our true strength lies in looking out for our neighbors and fostering an environment of care and support for everyone. The way we take care of each other is what makes Othello such a special place to live and work. Our schools are at the heart of our community and I ask each of you to keep working together with compassion to ensure every student in Othello feels welcome and has the chance to succeed.

 

If you have concerns or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our school district. We are here for you.

 

Thank you for your continued support of our students.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Pete Perez
Superintendent, Othello School District