District outlines expansion of family resource centers, community schools and immigration support

The Board of Trustees heard a presentation July 29 about the district—s Alisal Family Resource Centers and the Community Schools implementation grant, including staffing plans, services for immigrant families and ongoing efforts to place coordinators and parent-education specialists at every school. The presentation matters because the community-schools grant funds staff who will coordinate family engagement, attendance interventions and literacy supports across 12 sites; district staff said those positions are central to the grant—s goals and to meeting families—immediate needs. Julio Castro, director of family and community engagement, told the board the district operates three family resource centers adjacent to school sites and is using a hybrid staffing model with one director and two managers overseeing centers. Castro said the community-schools implementation grant funded most coordinator positions and that the district must provide a 33% local match. He described current vacancies…