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PCAC members say they were left off district's realignment work group, press for data and access
Summary
At an April 8 PCAC meeting, parent advisory members said they were not included in the district's 90-day strategic realignment work group and demanded access to the data used to shape proposed program cuts; district staff said recommendations are due June 1 and committed to sending community updates.
PCAC members told district staff on April 8 that they were concerned the Parent Community Advisory Council had not been included in a strategic realignment work group that is expected to deliver recommendations to the Board of Education within 90 days.
"Is there an update on why PCAC was not invited?" Vice Chair Smith asked during the meeting, pressing for clarity about representation and how PCAC would receive information about decisions that affect programs in schools.
The issue matters because the work group is reviewing programs scheduled for cuts and will recommend whether those programs should be preserved, altered or eliminated. Members raised concerns about undercounting students in affected programs and asked for concrete numbers — for example, historical graduation counts from the IB program — so the public can see the data behind proposed reductions.
Dr. Collins, speaking for district leadership, said the work group is operating on a 90-day timeline and that the group's recommendations are expected after that period. She told the council the district will begin sending a community newsletter with meeting notes and presentation materials and that membership lists for the work group can be included in those updates. "We will begin to send out a newsletter to the community to give them updates on what was discussed," Dr. Collins said.
Board members clarified that the 90-day window was set by an earlier board vote, and any extension would require returning to the Board for approval. PCAC members said a single representative was not an adequate substitute for meaningful advisory participation and asked the district to 1) provide a contact list of the work-group members, 2) publish the raw or parent-friendly data that informed cuts, and 3) schedule an opportunity for the strategic planning team to consult with PCAC for feedback.
District staff acknowledged the concerns and said they would post clearer links and materials and consider opportunities for direct feedback at a future PCAC meeting. The work group's timeline remains on track for recommendations by June 1 unless the Board formally approves an extension.
