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Board hears first reading of new community engagement specialist role aimed at reaching underperforming families
Summary
The Merced City School District presented a first reading for a new classified Community Engagement Specialist (260 days, mid-range salary ~ $85,000) intended to strengthen outreach to historically underserved families; trustees asked for clarifications on contract length, salary bands and how the role differs from site-based liaisons.
The Merced City School District on Jan. 14 presented a first reading for a new classified position, Community Engagement Specialist, designed to expand direct outreach to families of persistently low-performing students and improve two-way communication between the district and those households.
The job description — brought to the board by Dr. Dawn Hovoldt, director of human resources — was described as a collaborative effort with the district’s Black Parallel School Board and other advisory groups. Dr. Hovoldt said the role was developed to target students identified under LCAP Goal 4 and to bridge longstanding gaps in engagement for families who have limited channels into district decision-making.
Trustees pressed for concrete details about the position. Tamara Ferriero provided the contractual parameters the board sought: “The contracted days is 260 days, so it’s a 12-month position,” she said. Trustees also asked about salary information; staff confirmed a midpoint around $85,000 and provided hourly equivalents on the salary schedule ranging from $27.52 to $47.08.
Board members also requested clarification on how the specialist would differ from existing site-based community liaisons. Dr. Hovoldt said the role grew from community input and is intended to serve as a centralized, district-level conduit focused specifically on historically underrepresented families and students needing targeted supports.
Next steps: because the item was presented as a first reading, no formal action was taken. Staff said they would return with any requested edits or additional information at a future meeting.
Why it matters: public commenters and advocacy groups at the meeting asked the board to move quickly on the position, saying a dedicated district-level outreach role could help reduce suspension rates, improve attendance, and increase family trust where existing channels have not reached families effectively.
