Feb Meeting Summary and March Agenda
BPS Citywide Parent Council
Key takeaways
The CPC meeting focused on parent advocacy pathways and school governance structures
Transportation issues were identified as a major concern across multiple schools
Budget transparency and accountability were discussed as critical areas for parent involvement
The leadership team is seeking to fill three vacant positions in Diversity & Inclusion
The group plans to request quarterly meetings with the superintendent and engage with ODA (Office of Data and Accountability)
Discussed topics
Parent Roles, Responsibilities, and Advocacy Pathways
The meeting began with a presentation on how parents can effectively advocate within the school system.
Details
Explained that parents have decision-making power through school parent councils and school site councils, with rights to review budgets and approve key decisions
Outlined the proper channels for escalating issues - starting with teachers for classroom issues, principals for school-level concerns, and moving up to regional coordinators and eventually the superintendent
Emphasized that parents should be aware of Title I budgets that parent councils must vote on, noting these funds are often underutilized or allocated without proper parent input
Conclusion
Parents need to be aware of their rights and responsibilities in school governance
Following strategic processes builds credibility and forces accountability
The gap between policy and practice creates frustration for parents
Budget Monitoring and Transparency
Discussion about how parents can monitor school budgets and ensure transparency.
Details
Shared resources including Mass Budget and Policy Center, Department of Education school district profiles, and BPS budget office documents
Suggested parents request monthly budget updates, 3-year enrollment forecasts, and quarterly reports in school site councils
Expressed concern about the lack of transparency in how the rules-based funding formula works across schools
Suggested looking at citywide budget allocation rather than just individual schools
Conclusion
Parents should request specific budget information from their schools
Understanding the budget formula is essential for effective advocacy
Collective action across schools may be more effective than individual school advocacy
Transportation Issues
The group identified transportation as a major issue affecting multiple schools and brainstormed solutions.
Details
Noted buses are often an hour late, which is unfair to students
Mentioned that at Roger Clapp, students are marked tardy even when buses are late
Shared that the Zum app sometimes cancels with no warning after showing a bus is coming
Described safety incidents on buses, including her child being attacked while the driver did nothing
Pointed out that while the superintendent celebrates improved bus statistics (95% on-time), the 5% that are late affect real children
Conclusion
Better data tracking and accountability for late buses is needed
Bus monitor training, especially for working with neurodivergent children, is inadequate
Parents should document transportation issues and escalate them through proper channels
Parent Engagement Challenges
Members discussed the difficulties of getting parents involved in school governance.
Details
Noted that principals are often bogged down with administrative tasks, making it difficult to implement parent ideas
Shared that at Roger Clapp, which is closing and merging with another school, they struggle to get more than 5-6 parents to attend meetings
Observed that certain cultures don't feel they have rights in the education system and believe it's not their place to be involved
Emphasized that parent involvement is a self-fulfilling cycle - the more parents are effectively engaged, the more others will want to engage
Conclusion
Economic factors make it difficult for many parents to participate
Holding meetings after school pickup with childcare and food can increase attendance
Schools closing or merging face particular challenges with parent engagement
Leadership Team Vacancies
The leadership team announced open positions that need to be filled.
Details
Explained that the CPC is looking for four individuals to join the leadership group
Noted that the positions are for Diversity and Inclusion co-chair, Diversity and Inclusion co-chairs, and Finance co-chair
Shared that the roles and responsibilities can be found in the bylaws
Conclusion
The group is out of compliance without these positions filled
A special election will be held to fill the three seats
Collaboration with Other Parent Groups
Discussion about working with other parent organizations to increase collective impact.
Details
Mentioned partnerships with SPEDPAC and DLAC to create a stronger parent body
Have been meeting with Edith Belize to develop collective goals across the three parent groups
Suggested creating a centralized financial foundation to support schools and communities
Conclusion
Collective action across parent groups could have more impact than individual advocacy
The Boston Education Development Fund (BEDF) can serve as a fiscal sponsor for parent councils
Challenges
Low parent participation in school governance meetings across many schools
Lack of transparency in budget allocation and the rules-based funding formula
Persistent transportation issues including late buses, safety concerns, and inadequate monitoring
Difficulty getting responses when reporting transportation problems
Ensuring proper representation of parent voices in school decision-making
Communication barriers between the district and parents regarding policies and rights
Action items
Leadership Team
Create a one-page CPC Transportation Action Framework based on the meeting discussion
Prepare talking points for a meeting with BPS about transportation issues
Design a short pilot proposal for 2-3 schools to test transportation fixes
Reach out to the Office of Data and Accountability (ODA) to arrange a presentation
Consider inviting school committee parent representatives to a future meeting
Share the Google Doc with questions for David Bloom with members
Hold a special election to fill the three vacant Diversity & Inclusion positions
All Members
Complete the exit survey to provide input on future meeting topics
Add questions to the Google Doc for David Bloom regarding budget transparency
Consider joining the CPC WhatsApp group to continue discussions between meetings
Review the escalation chart and BPS organizational chart for advocacy purposes
Submit questions for the ODA presentation
Consider running for an open position on the Leadership Team.
Learn more about these roles and responsibilities and how to apply here.
Alternate dates are bolded and italicized. Link for virtual/hybrid Zoom meetings