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Parents and staff urge reinstatement of Parent Partner positions amid Title I funding uncertainty
Summary
Multiple staff, teachers and parents told the Cabell County Board of Education that removing Parent Partner positions from Title I schools will harm family engagement and student support. District officials said the positions were not posted because Title I allocations for next year have not been finalized and a federal reduction is expected.
Teachers, staff and parents urged the Cabell County Board of Education on May 20 to reinstate Parent Partner positions—part‑time, Title I‑funded roles that support family engagement—after the district did not post those jobs for next year.
Sarah Stacy, a fourth‑grade teacher at Altizer Elementary, told the board Parent Partners “are ambassadors of trust between our schools and the community” and listed services they perform, including clothing closets, food distribution, home visits, family nights and volunteer coordination. “Taking Parent Partners away directly hurts the support and education of our low income families,” she said.
Megan Carter, who said she has worked with Parent Partners at Explorer Academy and Altizer, told the board their work “has prevented students from falling through the cracks” by maintaining consistent family contact and supporting Title I school climates.
Alex Panell summarized the role: Parent Partners “foster consistent and supportive communication between educators and parents, especially for families who may face barriers such as language differences, work schedules, lack of transportation, or unfamiliarity with the school system.”
Board discussion explained why the positions were not posted. Kelly Watts, who oversees Title I allocations for the district, said the county has not received federal Title I allocations for next year and that the district is “foreseeing a cut” to federal funds. Watts said earlier Department of Education guidance suggested a possible 20% reduction, but that the anticipated cut has been revised at the state level to an estimated 7–10 percent; she said the district does not yet have a final number.
Watts said Title I funds are statutorily required to prioritize academic staff and that local guidance encourages school leadership teams to carry out family engagement duties in lieu of paid Parent Partners if funds are insufficient. Board members acknowledged Parent Partners’ role and said the district would re‑evaluate positions if federal funding improves.
Ending: Board members thanked speakers and said they will revisit staffing decisions after Title I allocations are finalized and if additional funds permit rehiring or reposting the positions.
