Sunday, May 31, 2026

PUSD Board Recognizes Voces Unidas as Official Parent Group for Latino Families

Pasadena Unified School District trustees unanimously recognized Voces Unidas as an official district-affiliated parent group Thursday, giving the group official district recognition as a parent organization for Latino families who said they want stronger representation, clearer communication and a more organized role in district decision-making.

The Board of Education approved the group during its May 28 meeting after a presentation from parent leaders and district family engagement staff. The agenda described the item as a proposal to approve Voces Unidas as an official PUSD parent group intended to strengthen family engagement, communication and collaboration between families and the district in support of student success and district priorities.

Nancy Molina, representing the district’s Office of Family and Community Engagement with Shannon Mumolo, introduced Voces Unidas as a group of parents seeking to strengthen partnership, belonging and the voices of Latino families in PUSD. The group asked the board for recognition as an official district parent organization.

Diane Riveros, president of Voces Unidas, told the board the group was formed by Latino parents across PUSD to improve connection, representation and collaboration between families and schools. She said families value education and want to take an active role in their children’s success, but many face barriers including language, access to information and a lack of representation in educational spaces.

“For many of us, this is long overdue,” Riveros said, according to the meeting transcript. “We believe Latino families deserve an organized and collaborative and respected voice here at PUSD.”

The group’s stated vision is to build “a united organized and represented community of Latino families” working alongside the district to support student success. One parent leader summarized the mission as helping Latino families and communities have a voice in PUSD, supporting student success and bringing families together to work with the district for positive change.

Parent leaders said Voces Unidas has spent the past year meeting with schools, attending English Learner Advisory Committee meetings and school events, hosting community conversations, partnering with organizations and holding listening sessions with families. They said those meetings showed that parents want to participate and support their children.

Pasadena Unified parent Liliana Coronado said Voces Unidas identified four priorities from its conversations with families: strengthening communication, transparency and family engagement; increasing academic support and educational opportunities; promoting student well-being and safe environments; and strengthening unity, representation and empowerment of the Latino community.

Coronado said families raised concerns about bullying, safe spaces, special education, discrimination and racial inequity. She said the group wants to serve as an ally and partner in lifting up Latino families and communities.

The group’s next steps include expanding school-site representation, developing a structure modeled in part on the African American Parent Council and creating clearer systems of communication among families, the district and the board. Voces Unidas leaders said they wanted to begin implementing their priorities “slow and steady,” while acknowledging the scope of family needs.

Public commenters also supported the recognition. Susan Savitt Schwartz of Pasadena Education Network said parent groups that work across schools benefit all children. G. Albert, executive director of Collaborate PASadena said Spanish-speaking parents in district community school focus groups expressed a desire for an organized body that represents their interests beyond existing engagement through ELAC.

Albert also compared the potential role of Voces Unidas to the African American Parent Council, saying that organization had helped shape policies and programs benefiting children across the district. He said Collaborate Pasadena was committed to providing technical, logistical and other support to help Voces Unidas grow and thrive.

During board discussion, trustees asked what official district affiliation would mean. District staff said the Office of Family Engagement had already supported the group’s development and would continue to provide support, including meeting space and help with child care for events where appropriate. Staff also said parent input from Voces Unidas would be important as the district develops goals for the next Local Control and Accountability Plan cycle.

Trustee Kimberly Kenne asked whether the group would follow public-meeting practices similar to those used by other advisory committees, including 72-hour notice, public access and public comment. District staff said the guidelines could be shared with the group as a best practice.

Trustee Yarma Velázquez  said the effort grew out of years of conversations with Latinos in the district who wanted stronger representation, connection and a voice in PUSD. She said ELAC had long been the only formalized space for many families, but had limitations.

Trustee  Scott Harden also called the recognition overdue and said the organization could have positive implications for student achievement, cultural awareness and shared advocacy with other parent groups.

Before the board vote, the student preferential vote was cast in support of the item, with the speaker saying Latino students and families make up a large portion of the district and that the group would allow them to advocate for themselves in a stronger way. The board then approved the motion without opposition.