Michelle Zocke Vanegas presents first Parent Advisory Committee report to SF Board of Education

The San Francisco Board of Education held a meeting on July 4, 2025, where the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) presented its first report for the 2022-2023 school year. Michelle Zocke Vanegas, the PAC coordinator, outlined the council's role in representing parent perspectives to inform board policy discussions and decisions.

Vanegas highlighted the PAC's history, established in 1993, and its mission to advise the board on issues affecting families, including student achievement and family involvement. She noted that the PAC has been operating at less than half capacity this year, which has made it challenging to fulfill its responsibilities. Despite these difficulties, the PAC is committed to emerging stronger from the pandemic and continuing its partnership with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) to support equity and family voice.

The presentation included an overview of the PAC's structure, which consists of up to 15 voting members and 3 non-voting alternates, all of whom are parents or guardians of current SFUSD students. Vanegas emphasized the importance of diversity within the PAC to reflect the student population and mentioned that the council does not engage in fundraising or operate at individual school sites.

During the meeting, Vanegas expressed appreciation for the board's efforts to restructure meetings for better accessibility, noting that the public portion now begins at 6:30 PM. However, she stressed the necessity of including family voices in discussions to ensure equitable outcomes for students.

The PAC is awaiting updates on the status of the Queer Transparent Advisory Council, which has been a point of concern for families. The first general PAC meeting of the school year was held on September 1, 2025, with Superintendent Wayne in attendance, fostering dialogue on various parent questions and concerns.

Public comments during the meeting reflected gratitude for the PAC's work and highlighted the need for greater inclusivity in its membership. Some speakers raised concerns about the representation of diverse communities within the PAC, particularly regarding the application process for new members.

The next PAC meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 6, 2025, pending the appointment of new members. The PAC encourages community engagement and invites interested parents to attend meetings, which are open to the public and provide resources such as childcare and translation services.