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Vida families urge sibling preference in school-choice lottery
Summary
Parents at the June 3 board meeting asked the district to change Vida's lottery to give preference to siblings, saying split siblings would reduce family involvement and harm younger students' sense of belonging.
VANCOUVER, Wash. — At the June 3 public comment portion of the Vancouver School District board meeting, several parents asked the board to adopt sibling preference within Vida’s school-choice lottery so younger siblings can attend the same school as older siblings.
Nicole Isler, a Vida parent and incoming PTSA president, described the strain on working families when siblings are separated by lottery placement. "Siblings should have a preference, then do the lottery for the remaining spots," she said, adding that separation can reduce family participation and harm younger children’s sense of belonging. Isler said her younger child asked, “Why me? What did I do wrong?” after not receiving a placement at Vida.
Nut graf: Parents argued that sibling preference would preserve family engagement and help children feel secure in their school community; they urged the board to consider changes that lessen disruption for low‑income and single‑parent households.
Isler and other speakers tied sibling preference to equity and participation, saying active parent volunteers help keep school communities intact and that splitting siblings can diminish that involvement. The board did not take immediate action during the meeting; the speaker said she had contacted board members in advance and asked the district to consider policy adjustments.
Ending: Board staff will accept public materials and consider policy and operational changes through the district’s school-assignment processes.
