Boise schools expand community‑school coordinators, spotlight Whitney Elementary family‑engagement work

Jennifer Henderson, executive director of the Boise Schools Foundation, and Andrea Garrity, community school supervisor, told the board the community-school model centers schools as hubs for families and partners and requires six elements: academic rigor, integrated systems of support, family and community engagement, belonging and safety, enriched learning, and collaborative leadership.

They noted long-term partners that provide services in community schools — including Boise Parks & Recreation (after-school programming), St. Luke’s (mental-health therapists and mobile medical clinic), the Idaho Food Bank (onsite food pantries), and College of Western Idaho (English-language classes for adults). Henderson said the foundation often underwrites coordinator salaries during start-up years.

Whitney Elementary Principal Bridget Warner described local initiatives: parent potluck dinners to build connections; a gardening club for families; "Whitney never closes" enrichment days during school breaks that drew about 90 students; Friday Focus enrichment workshops; and a family book carnival supported by Boise Centennial Rotary (which donated books).

Board members asked how expansion would be staffed. Garrity said coordinators will split time across schools in some cases, citing enrollment declines at Garfield and Taft that allow staff to be reallocated; targeted expansion will add coordinator time at Capital High and South Junior High and a full-time coordinator at Horizon Elementary, with the first rollouts focused on areas the city study identified as underserved (Southeast and West Boise).

Trustees and staff discussed communication about what the foundation and district already fund; Henderson said the foundation typically covers coordinator costs for one to two years during start-up, though arrangements vary year to year.

No formal action was required at the meeting; presenters asked trustees for ongoing support and noted that community-school elements will be scaled to each site's needs.