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Parents and staff urge board to preserve Sacajawea family‑resource coordinator amid proposed cut
Summary
Students, families and staff told the school board they rely on the Sacajawea Family Community Resource Coordinator, Brenda Starr, for food, clothing, hygiene items and crisis support and asked the board to retain the position.
VANCOUVER, Wash. — Multiple speakers during public comment on June 3 pressed the Vancouver School District board to retain the Family Community Resource Coordinator (FCRC) position at Sacajawea Elementary, saying the school would lose critical daily services if the role is eliminated.
Fourth-grader Emmeline Phelan told the board, “Miss Star has helped so many kids and families get what they need to succeed,” and described the FCRC’s work providing food bags, clothing and a free food pantry. Kindergarten teacher Madonna Underlund, representing Sacajawea staff, said it is her understanding that the position “is being eliminated” and urged the board to explore ways to sustain the role, calling the FCRC “the heartbeat of Sacajawea.”
Nut graf: Parents, teachers and community volunteers said the FCRC provides routine, on-site support — from gas cards and food distribution to referrals and trauma support — that would not be readily replaced if the coordinator position is cut.
Parent Jenny Arechiga provided staff with a packet of projects and a petition she said contains signatures from Latino families who rely on the FCRC’s programs, including monthly parent gatherings and translation assistance. Arechiga said the coordinator encouraged her to volunteer and helped Spanish‑speaking families engage with the school.
Staff and parents described practical services the coordinator supplies, including immediate assistance when a family runs out of gas, coordination of a fresh-food partnership with a neighborhood grocer, and distribution of school supplies and hygiene products. Speakers said those daily, in‑person supports improve attendance, family engagement and students’ ability to participate in class.
Ending: The board did not take immediate action on the personnel matter during the meeting; speakers said they will continue to follow up with district staff and to submit written materials for board review.
