Board questions Parent University timing, costs and translation plans as back-to-school rally approaches

District staff and trustees spent more than an hour debating the district’s planned Parent University and how it overlaps with the Back-to-School Rally and other community events. Sylvia Alvarez, who identified herself as the district family and community engagement coordinator, reviewed Parent University’s history and past funding sources, saying the last full Parent University was held in February 2019 and that past events used foundation donations and community volunteers. Alvarez said recent planned items included shirts (about $2,200) and imprinting ($651), and that the athletic department and local businesses had offered donations. She said some planned purchases were initially submitted for Title I funding and later deemed not allowable under Title I rules. Board members repeatedly raised logistical…