School Council Frustrated over Foreign Parent Requirement

Community District Education Council members are at odds over a new mandate to fill one of 11 District seats with the parent of a student whose first language is not English.

"It's a set aside," said CDEC 26 President Rob Caloras. "If we have 25 candidates and the [non-English speaker's parent] is horrible, we have to pick that one."

The Department of Education's regulations were appended in March to conform to State law, including both a parent of an English language novice, and child with special learning needs.

Caloras pointed out that the Council already happened to have a few parents of special children, so no action need be taken to recruit another.

"Every single person in this room comes from an immigrant family," said CDEC member Susan Shiroma, speaking directly to Caloras while sitting across from him at a meeting of the Council late last month. "I think we should do everything in our power to reach out to these parents because this is America," she added, also pointing out that over 50 percent of the district makeup is Asian.

"This is America," Caloras fired back, "which means we don't have quotas."

On Shiroma's request, he clarified that the Council would comply with the regulation – though he believes it to be unconstitutional.

The regulation had been set between Council elections. It did not require new action until a member dropped out in October, leaving an opening.

An announcement had been sent, inviting parents of immigrant children to apply in five languages, including English, by November 1. When that deadline came and went with no response, CDEC Administrative Assistant Marian Mason said she would extend the deadline to November 29.

"It shouldn't be extra outreach," said Recording Secretary Pia Alexander. "That's unfair, and it's unconstitutional," she added.

"How can we expect parents who cannot read or write English, and who are possibly recent newcomers, to participate at a district-wide level if we do not conduct additional outreach," said Shiroma.

She added that District 26 is "highly organized," but may be "depending on old-fashioned back-packed notices which get seen once, if at all, then tossed."

Shiroma also said this would be the second time in 2010 that the CDEC filled a vacant seat with a native English speaker's parent, and that a grievance may be in order. She also warned that she would be the one filing it.

"If members make a good faith effort to fill the spot, I wouldn't expect they'd get in trouble," said DOE spokesman Matthew Mittenthal, adding, "If they are openly flouting the law, however, they might be removed." 

Mittenthal clarified that as volunteers, CDEC members would likely not be subject to any "substantial punishment."

If the spot is not filled by the recruiting efforts of the CDEC, the Department of Education Chancellor may step in to fill it. Before it comes to that, said Caloras, the CDEC would enlist the help of parent coordinators.

Applications can be obtained from District 26 parent coordinators in individual schools.