Equity advisory committee spotlights attendance and family partnerships as priorities

The district’s recently formed equity advisory committee told the board it has spent the year building trust, reviewing the district equity audit and attendance data, and centering student and family voice to identify priorities for 2026–27.

Kanani Balffor, a regional CTE coordinator and committee member, summarized the group’s charge: advise district leaders on equity and access issues, examine policies and practices that disproportionately affect underrepresented students, and ground recommendations in Oregon statute and the district’s strategic planning work.

Student committee member Isabella Moreno Ventura said including students and families in decision making has been critical. “This work is most meaningful when student and family voices are not only heard but actively included in district decision making,” she told the board.

Committee members told the board they conducted a broad data review that highlighted attendance trends and disparities. The group discussed targeted next steps such as listening sessions with students and families, motivational interviewing techniques, and refining district data collection to better identify root causes of chronic absenteeism.

Board members asked how committee findings would be communicated. Presenters said they will work with the district communications team to produce simple, translated FAQ‑style materials (for example, on the importance of kindergarten attendance) and to increase outreach to families who are less digitally connected.

What’s next: the committee plans to narrow its focus and draft advisory recommendations for the district in 2026–27 focused on authentic family engagement and attendance interventions. The district will live‑translate and disseminate key messages and partner with communications staff to expand outreach.