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Ventura Unified proposes centralized Parent Institute pilot to support Spanish-speaking families
Summary
District staff presented a proposed centralized Parent Institute for Quality Education (PK) pilot: an eight‑week, Spanish‑language parent education program capped at 50 families with a $18,900 pilot budget to cover instruction, childcare and light dinner for participants.
Ventura Unified School District staff on Tuesday outlined a proposal to pilot a centralized Parent Institute for Quality Education, or PK, aimed at Spanish‑speaking multilingual families.
Staff said the PK signature program focuses on family engagement and parent education, offering weekly evening sessions (6 p.m.) over eight weeks, taught in Spanish and capped at 50 parents. Karen H., director of educational services, described workshop topics that include supporting homework, navigating parent‑teacher conferences, understanding A–G and college admissions, and finding student supports. “This program consists of weekly evening 6 pm sessions over eight weeks from January to March,” staff said during the presentation.
Supporters highlighted prior local experience with PK. Parent Emma Ver told the board the workshops helped her family learn how K–12 and college admissions work, saying the program “helped us to be patient with our children and become better parents” and noting multiple children in her family who have graduated or are headed to higher education.
Staff presented a one‑cohort budget for the pilot: $14,500 for the PK program fee, $1,600 for childcare and $2,800 for light dinners, for a total of $18,900 to serve 50 families. Recruitment would be centralized through ParentSquare, with PK contacting parents who opt in. Staff said if demand exceeds the initial cap the district could return to the board to expand offerings.
Trustees asked for additional operational details and historic participation rates. Roelio Ramirez, the district’s bilingual parent liaison, said past site‑based PK classes have seen 30–40 attendees and that most parents who sign up historically complete the series. Board members requested follow‑up data on prior participation and completion rates; staff said they would return with that information.
Staff emphasized the program is voluntary and opt‑in to protect family privacy. No final approval or funding appropriation was recorded during the meeting; staff said they will return to the board if interest warrants additional cohorts or budget amendments.
