Whereas, Article III, Section 14 of the Pennsylvania Constitution states,“The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth.”

Whereas, Section 301 of the Public School Code of 1949 states, “The public school system of the Commonwealth shall be administered by a board of school directors, to be elected or appointed, as hereinafter provided.”

Whereas, school directors in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania “swear (or affirm) that [they] will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth, and that [they] will discharge the duties of [their] office with fidelity.” 24 P.S. 3-321.

Whereas, the United States Supreme Court, in Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982), held that the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the denial of a public school education to school-aged children on the basis of their immigration status.

Whereas, the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution forbids the federal government from coercing local governments, including political subdivisions like school districts, to enforce immigration laws.  

Whereas, the Reading School District Board of Directors is committed to the success of all students in its public school system.

Therefore, be it resolved that:

1. All schools within the Reading School District will strive to be a welcoming place for  district students and their families to seek help, assistance, information, and safety from discrimination or harassment because of their actual or perceived ancestry, national origin, primary language, or immigration status. 

2. The District will take all lawful steps to prevent any unnecessary disruption of the Reading School District school system by any individuals or organizations whose purpose is to cause or whose actions contribute to the discrimination against, harassment of, and/or the targeting for enforcement of District students and their families because of their actual or perceived ancestry, national origin, primary language, or immigration status. 

3. The District will take all lawful steps to prevent the impermissible disclosure of student information to any individuals or organizations consistent with its obligations under state and federal law, including the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, and District policies and procedures. 

4. The District will work to hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable to its own policies and procedures, including its 2011 “Sensitive Locations Memo”, by refusing unlawful immigration enforcement activities on District property, to the extent permitted by law, and by directing all Department inquiries, whether direct or indirect, to the Superintendent’s Office for review by the Compliance Officer and/or Solicitor including, but not limited to, a review of all legal process, including warrants, to be executed on or about District property for compliance with state and federal law. 

5. This resolution will be shared by the District with all students, staff, families, community partners, and stakeholders in multiple languages.