Board pauses PAC nominations, requests reviews after allegations of exclusion in selection process

A contentious public-comment period over the Parent Advisory Council’s (PAC) nomination process culminated in a board motion on May 9 to pause action and review the procedures after multiple parents and community leaders alleged the selection process was discriminatory and nontransparent.

Parents and community organizations, including representatives of a Chinese parent coalition (CPAC), told the board that the PAC selection had disproportionately rejected Chinese applicants and that application materials and translations were handled inconsistently. Josephine Zhao, a CPAC cofounder, called for accountability and structural reform, saying PAC bylaws allow a pattern of exclusion and urging the board to reject the slate.

Vice President Weisman Ward and Commissioner Matamidi (moved on the record) said the allegations — which staff described as documented concerns — required formal review. Commissioner Matamidi moved that the board table action and: (1) direct the superintendent to review SFUSD human-resources and legal policies for handling complaints with attention to compliance and best practices; (2) request that the district coordinate with the California Department of Education to review parent and family engagement policies and compliance with LCAP and ESSA; and (3) direct the superintendent to return with recommendations for how the district will support the PAC and broader parent-family engagement. The motion passed 6–1 (President Bogus voted no).

Superintendent Wayne and staff had earlier described a history of PAC coordinator turnover, a staff recommendation for a new selection process, and that not all PAC members agreed to the nomination approach. Staff said district concerns were about process rather than people; board members debated the balance between respecting parent volunteers and ensuring legal compliance and inclusivity. Several commissioners emphasized the need to design stronger district family-engagement infrastructure.

The board’s action halts immediate appointment of the PAC nominees and directs staff to return with findings and recommendations. The district said it would contact the California Department of Education to request an external review and explicitly consider city and federal legal compliance in its recommendations.