Board of Education Seeks Members of the Parent and Community Advisory Council

The Board of Education invites Philadelphia residents, who are passionate about improving public education, to apply by March 1 for a position on the Parent and Community Advisory Council (PCAC) that begins in the 2021-2022 school year.

PCAC serves as a bridge between the city’s school communities and the Board of Education with council members sharing critical information on Board work with their networks while communicating the concerns of their school communities to the Board.

“The Parent and Community Advisory Council has given us invaluable insight into our school communities and has offered great feedback and guidance to the Board on critical issues,” said Board President Joyce S. Wilkerson. “In fact, last year the Board held focus groups with PCAC to seek the community’s input on the Board’s new strategic plan, Goals & Guardrails. The feedback we received helped us prioritize student achievement for our Goals and led directly to Guardrail 3 which prioritizes parent and guardian engagement and encourages them to be partners in their child’s school community.”

PCAC includes members who represent diverse stakeholders across the city, including parents and caregivers, community members, educators and faith-based leaders. Council members champion public education and promote city-wide engagement with the Board and School District with a focus on Goals & Guardrails, the Board’s five-year plan to increase student achievement and success.

Council members, who serve two-year unpaid terms, meet regularly with Board members, submit community questions on action items and host Community Conversation sessions that encourage public input in the Board’s decision-making process.

“I appreciate the opportunity to be the voice for people in my community because I’m a trusted voice,” said PCAC Member Rev. Chandra I. Williams, of Brewerytown. “I could receive valuable information from the Board and go back to my community. I truly believe the board listened to our feedback and brought it back to Dr. Hite, and we saw changes.”

To serve on the Council, members must be Philadelphia residents, at least 18 years old, who are affiliated with a district or charter school and who are dedicated to supporting public schools. For more information, or to apply, please visit: philasd.org/schoolboard/advisorycouncil/.

“A lot of folks are looking for a way to engage, and serving on the Parent and Community Advisory Council gives you a chance to have a voice and a way to address complaints,” said Council Member Joelleen Sicinski, of Northeast Philadelphia. “It’s also a way to get involved in your community and gain a bigger perspective.”