A school’s parent coordinator is a member of the school staff and is supervised by the principal. The parent coordinator’s primary responsibilities include creating a welcoming school environment for parents, increasing parent involvement in the school, helping to address parents’ concerns, communicating specific school information to families, and partnering with and supporting the PA/PTA. They should also support the work of the SLT, community groups, and parent advisory councils.

CR A-660 includes specific instances when PA/PTAs can seek direct assistance from the parent coordinator, including:

  • Conducting elections
  • Improving attendance at general membership meetings,
  • Publicizing fundraising activities*

The DOE’s Parent Coordinator Roles and Responsibilities sheet states that parent coordinators should:

  • Assist in outreach for activities and to access needs of parents
  • Provide assistance, as needed, to establish PA/PTA by-laws, nominations and elections
  • Attend PA/PTA meetings as an observer

The DOE has also suggested that parent coordinators may:

  • Support the principal in re-establishing a PA/PTA, if necessary.
  • Meet with the PA/PTA executive board to discuss shared goals for the year. Meet with parent leaders to brainstorm parent involvement ideas and activities.
  • Support the Annual Title I Parent Meeting, if applicable.
  • Work with the PA/PTA to send out a parent survey to get suggestions for activities and workshop topics.
  • Obtain SLT and PA/PTA meeting schedules and help distribute to parents.
  • Support the principal in developing a schedule of quarterly meetings with the PA/PTA executive board.

The parent coordinator can be a useful resource for PA/PTAs. Establishing a good working relationship with parent coordinators is a worthwhile endeavor — they can be a valuable partner in working toward PA/PTAs' goals.

* Chancellor’s Regulation A-660 strictly prohibits parent coordinators from handling PA/PTA funds.