During a recent school board meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding changes to the community school initiative in the Alisal Union School District. Board member discussions highlighted dissatisfaction with the decision to eliminate the positions of school coordinators and parent education specialists, which were initially promised to the community.

One board member expressed frustration over the lack of communication about these changes, emphasizing that the community had been informed of a different plan that included dedicated coordinators for each school. The member noted that parents and community members were excited about these roles, which they believed would enhance student success. However, the sudden shift to a single community school manager position, which would encompass broader responsibilities at a lower pay grade, has left many feeling misled and concerned about the initiative's effectiveness.

The board member pointed out that the rationale for eliminating these positions was cited as a lack of work and funding, questioning how this could be the case when the initiative had not yet begun. They argued that the decision undermines the community's trust and the potential for successful implementation of the initiative.

In response, district officials explained that the decision was made to ensure financial sustainability over the five-year funding period, as the costs associated with hiring multiple positions were deemed unfeasible. They acknowledged the need for creative solutions, such as possibly sharing coordinators between schools, but emphasized the importance of having a dedicated resource for parents at each school site.

The meeting underscored the need for ongoing dialogue among board members, district staff, and the community to address these concerns and explore alternative funding strategies. The board member concluded by advocating for a needs assessment involving all stakeholders to ensure that the initiative aligns with community expectations and adequately supports students.