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Parents urge district not to cut facilitator roles that connect families to schools
Summary
Parents warned that removing facilitator positions would break trusted bonds and reduce family participation; they urged Long Beach Unified to preserve those connectors and consider staffing or translation capacity at school sites.
Several parents told the board that facilitator roles — staff who translate, connect and guide families — are the critical human bridge between schools and parents. One parent said the facilitator opened doors and introduced her to committees; when that position was closed at one site she feared principals would not have the capacity or language match to replace that support.
Board and staff members acknowledged the role’s importance and discussed the need for dedicated staff to build trust and sustain relationships. A parent described the risk bluntly: when the facilitator position was closed “we don't know what we will do because we don't know who we will be talking to,” stressing continuity and language access as central to preserving engagement.
Speakers recommended that the district prioritize retaining or replacing facilitator roles and ensure office staff practice welcoming customer service so families feel safe when first engaging with schools.
