Community partners urge meetings where families already gather; committee adds CBO sessions to plan

Multiple community speakers urged the board to meet people where they already gather — food distribution points, migrant offices and parent rooms — and to provide language access and in‑person outreach for families without reliable internet or smartphones. Brenda, a community partner, stressed that families often feel intimidated by formal board settings and recommended staging listening sessions in trusted neighborhood spaces to build comfort and participation.

The committee incorporated those concerns into the engagement plan and clarified that the CBO engagement element will include three general listening sessions per school year with organizations that work with the district. Chair Gupta and commissioners emphasized the need to compile and update a comprehensive CBO directory and to coordinate with family liaisons to reach the most marginalized households.