January 29, 2025

Superintendent’s Message: Supporting our Community as a Safe Haven School District

We understand the concern and fear felt by our families and communities regarding the new administration’s action to overturn the sensitive locations policy that includes schools. I share these concerns, and I am deeply disappointed in this decision. Our schools are mandated to ensure that no student is denied enrollment or faced with barriers to their educational opportunities based on their or their family’s immigration status. Our schools serve as safe havens for our students and families and will continue to do so.

I want to reassure our community that the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) remains steadfastly committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of their immigration status, has access to a safe, secure and nurturing learning environment.

The sensitive locations policy previously prevented Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from arresting immigrants in places such as schools, churches and hospitals. The change to the policy does not overrule a child’s constitutional right to an education. It also does not overrule state constitutional protections. A lawfully executed court order is required for access.

The SMMUSD Board of Education and I reaffirm our belief that all school-aged students should have access to an excellent education and the opportunities that education provides regardless of their immigration status or the immigration status of their parents. As outlined in our Board of Education resolution dated December 15, 2016, our campuses will continue to be “safe zones,” to the full extent of the law. Read the full resolution by the SMMUSD Board of Education. We are in the process of reaffirming this commitment with a new resolution that will go before the school board on February 6, 2025. We will share the new resolution and resources on our dedicated webpage: https://www.smmusd.org/Page/4238. This page will be accessible from the What’s Happening section on each school site’s home page.

We want to remind all families and staff that we do not collect any documentation about citizenship or social security numbers at any time during the enrollment process. We are extremely protective of your data and fully abide by data privacy regulations. This is extremely important to us and critical in our daily work.

Families facing immigration issues may visit the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC). The IRLC offers information about family rights, a step-by-step family preparedness plan template, your options and other resources.

SMMUSD continues to protect values that are close to our parents, students, teachers, staff and the communities of Santa Monica and Malibu. Values that include treating one another with mutual respect, dignity, trust and fairness, regardless of immigration status, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, disability, sexual orientation or political affiliation. We continue to provide access and opportunity to an excellent education and social emotional supports to ALL students. SMMUSD will continue to be the welcoming school district to all students in the neighborhoods we serve.

I encourage all members of our school community to come together in a spirit of unity. Let us move forward with kindness, compassion, and a shared determination to create the best possible learning environments for our young people. Their safety and wellbeing is - and will always be - our top priority.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Sincerely,

Dr. Antonio Shelton, Superintendent

Mensaje del Superintendente: Apoyo a la comunidad como distrito escolar de refugio seguro