school district students and staff
Everyone in the community knows about the School Board and district trustees, the Superintendent and the Parent / Teacher Organizations (PTOs) that are a part of individual schools; but what about the Parent Advisory Council (the PAC)?
Since September 2014, the PAC has been serving as a subcommittee of the School Board, and has been working to make our school district a better place to learn and work.
In the spring of 2014, there were quite a few rumors going around about the possibility of closing Naples Elementary. “Interested parents began looking into the formation of a formal group,” said Niki Weaver, Chair of the PAC. “Working with the Board Chair, David Brinkman and then [former] Superintendent Dick Conley led to establishing such a group in our district.”
The primary purpose of the PAC is to advise the Board of parents’ perspectives and to provide recommendations in relation to other district issues. “PAC provides parents and guardians with an opportunity to actively participate in their children’s education,” said Ms. Weaver. “PAC is a formal way to include parent perspective in the district’s decision-making process.”
While, at first glance, PAC may seem very similar to a P.T.O, it is actually very different. P.T.Os work within individual schools, while the PAC operates at a district level and works hard to provide support to each school within the school district. To do this, each school has representation within the PAC. “We do not do any fundraising but primarily focus our efforts on reviewing and improving policies and procedures within the district to help provide the best educational environment possible for our students,” continued Ms. Weaver.
Additionally, the PAC provides parents with an objective third party with which to share any concerns they may have. When it comes to issues or concerns, parents are traditionally sent through the chain of command if they wish to share those concerns. The PAC is now part of that chain. While parents are still able to publically express any concerns with the Board, “PAC makes it possible for their concerns to be addressed without having to present it to the board themselves.” By discussing issues with the PAC, parents are given a chance to have their concerns taken before the Board in a way that is more objective. “ This objectivity makes it possible for the PAC to bring these issues to the board in a more efficient way to achieve favorable results,” said Mrs. Weaver.
Aside from working within the School Board, the PAC has many goals that they hope to accomplish:
(1) Identify common needs and goals among the schools
(2) Unify our schools/district by creating a collective group focused on strengthening education for all students
(3) Facilitate communication between and among the parents – serve as a forum for sharing innovations and best practices from the different schools
(4) Provide opportunities for parent involvement on committees and school/district activities
(5) Ensure information from the district and school reaches the community
(6) Create a cohesive and non-adversarial relationship with the Board, teachers, and parents.
As the needs of the school district change, these goals will continue to grow and develop with it.
Currently, the PAC consists of 8 members. “The ideal is to have two representatives from each school as well as two representatives from our non-traditional (i.e. homeschool, virtual students, etc.) parent population,” said Ms. Weaver. Therefore, the ideal membership is 12 members. The PAC is currently seeking an additional representative from Naples, Mount Hall, and the Middle School, as well as two representatives from the non-traditional population. “We would love to have any parents who are passionate and interested in their children’s educational experience and who are willing to commit to the minimal time and the effort required to join the PAC,” said Mrs. Weaver.
The PAC meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. in the Bonners Ferry High School library. “Additionally, PAC members attend at least one board meeting every other month, communicate as a group through email throughout the month, review policies that are under review by the board, and work with the school they represent to communicate information to and from parents.” Because the belief is that the group will function better with more input and support from parents, PAC’s meetings are always open to the public.
PAC has its very own tab on the school district’s website as well as its own Facebook page (follow BCSD Parent Advisory Council). If interested in joining, a person can find contact information for Board Chair David Brinkman, the PAC’s Board liaison Ron MacDonald, as well as information for other PAC members on the school district’s website (under the administration tab then Board of trustees link for Board members and under the parent tab and PAC link for PAC members).
For the upcoming year specifically, PAC plans to better review policies that are being considered by the Board, to continue its support of P.T.Os, and to provide a welcome back to school thank you for teachers districtwide. PAC also plans to be involved with 6th grade move-up day like they were last year. “We will also be a voice to the board from the parental perspective as they review and implement new strategic plans for the year.”