The TUSD Governing Board voiced its support late Tuesday for a Pima Community College proposal to grant in-state tuition to undocumented students under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as Dreamers.
TUSD Board Member Kristel Ann Foster requested that the district send a letter to the PCC Board, which was supported by a 4-1 vote. Pima will consider the proposal tonight.
TUSD Board Member Mark Stegeman voted against sending the letter.
"I'm not passing judgment on the merits - the merits sound pretty good," Stegeman said. "I've consistently opposed us taking positions on things that don't directly affect the district."
Other members disagreed, saying TUSD students are directly impacted.
"As the largest public school district in the Tucson metropolitan area, serving a diverse population of immigrants, refugees, migrants, residents and citizens, we recognize the importance of higher education opportunities for each and every student who graduates from our schools," the letter reads.
"These are the young people who, if we ease the burden of paying out-of-state tuition, will have a better opportunity to become educated, employed, productive members of our society who contribute to the well being of us all," the letter goes on to say.
In addition to granting in-state tuition to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program students, the TUSD board recommended allowing them equal access to in-state resident scholarships.
Alexis Huicochea
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