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Parents urge clearer outreach and support as resident raises concerns about repeated tax increases
Summary
At the June 25 meeting a resident urged the board to stop raising taxes that harm seniors on fixed incomes; a parent liaison described barriers to parent engagement and asked for warmer, more accessible communication and supports for families in poverty.
York City SD — During public comment at the June 25 school board meeting a resident criticized repeated tax increases and a parent liaison described challenges reaching and involving families, urging the district to make communications and supports more accessible.
In public comment, Danone Mitchell Sweeney of 106 West Boundtree Avenue told the board that taxes have been increasing ‘‘for the last 5 years’’ and said that repeated increases are harming residents on fixed incomes, particularly seniors. Sweeney said higher taxes are forcing some homeowners to convert properties to rentals, which she said is ‘‘bringing down neighborhoods.’’
Later in the meeting, Briasha Banks — who identified herself as a parent liaison at Devers K—8 — described repeated difficulties engaging other parents. Banks said many parents in the district face heavy poverty, single-parent households, demanding work schedules and mental-health challenges, and that standard outreach methods (social media posts or mass texts) do not reach many families. She said parents often cannot afford to take unpaid time off for conferences and asked the board to consider alternate, warmer approaches to communication and engagement.
Banks also described her own recent severe mental-health crisis and said she attended the meeting to speak about barriers families face. The board responded by offering to meet with her and by describing a willingness to explore creative options to improve communication between families, principals and the district. Board members and district staff reiterated that parent liaisons and the Office of Student Services are available and that some conferences and trainings exist but acknowledged that timing and cost are barriers for some parents.
What was not decided Board members did not adopt a new outreach policy or set a follow-up date at the meeting; rather, they invited further conversation with the commenter and offered to arrange a meeting to discuss specific needs.
Why this matters Parents— ability to participate in schools affects student outcomes and district decision-making. The comments underscore practical barriers (work schedules, cost, mental-health issues) that can limit family engagement and the need for district outreach options that account for families— varied capacities.
