On July 21, 2025, a representative of the Parent Action Council’s Housing and Incentives Committee asked the Board of Education Real Estate Committee to add PAC membership to the committee so parents can review tax incentive proposals that affect school revenue.

The PAC speaker, identifying himself as John Rigginbotham, co-chair of the Housing and Incentives Committee of the Parent Action Council, told the committee PAC’s priorities include earlier notice from the city about developments seeking tax incentives, greater transparency about how abatements affect St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) revenues and a consistent channel for parent input. “We'd request to serve on the real estate committee,” Rigginbotham said. “We’re requesting, I think, a voting role, but I think we would definitely be willing to serve in an advisory role as well.”

Rigginbotham said PAC favors property tax abatements that support affordable housing for low-income families and transitional students but wants more scrutiny for market-rate developments. He raised a specific concern about the Millennium Hotel proposal, saying PAC received little advance notice and that some board bills lack clear documentation showing SLPS was notified. “When you look at the actual board bills, only a small fraction of the bills satisfy that requirement,” Rigginbotham said.

Committee members asked about representation, equity and logistics. A committee member identified as Speaker 8 asked where PAC members live; Rigginbotham said the Housing and Incentives Committee is concentrated in South City but includes members from schools across the city. Another member raised concerns about committee composition and ties if PAC membership made the committee’s voting membership even-numbered. Committee members discussed the possibility of starting PAC in an advisory capacity and later moving to a voting role.

Rigginbotham described PAC’s background and capacity: about 10 core members on the Housing and Incentives Committee, outreach to several hundred parents through PAC meetings, and members with experience in affordable housing, neighborhood groups and public policy. He said PAC sometimes discloses potential conflicts of interest among committee members and that PAC runs training and outreach.

The Real Estate Committee did not adopt a formal vote in the meeting to assign a seat to PAC but members expressed support for continuing the conversation. The committee chair thanked PAC for its participation and said the committee would consider next steps.

The discussion was framed as a request for committee membership and improved notice and transparency around board bills and tax incentives; no formal policy change or vote on PAC membership was taken at the July 21 meeting.