SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL

1. SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL

2. Purpose: School Site Council • The organization by which the school community comes together to chart the school’s path to improvement.

3. Elementary School Composition • Equal representation between a) principal, classroom teachers, and other school personnel; b) equal number of parents or other community members. • Majority of the school’s composition shall consist of classroom teachers. • Each must be selected by their peers.

4. Other Elementary Council Sizes

5. Principal Teachers Staff Board Parents Students Community Secondary School Composition • Equal representative between a) principal, classroom teachers, and other school personnel; b) equal number of parents or community members and students. • Majority of staff representatives shall consist of classroom teachers. • Each must be selected by their peers.

6. Other Composition Issues • “A school site council at the middle school level may, but is not required to, include pupil representation.” Ed. Code 33133(c) • This permits local boards of education to choose whether a middle school follows the elementary or secondary composition requirements.---The procedure needs to be in a school’s specific by-laws.

7. Selection of Council Members

8. Definitions • “The council shall be composed of the principal and representatives of: • teachers selected by teachers at the school; • other school personnel selected by other school personnel at the school; • parents of pupils attending the school selected by such parents; and • in secondary schools, pupils selected by pupils attending the school.”

9. Check Bylaws First Schools are encouraged to have procedures for the selection/election of members written into the SSC’s bylaws.

10. The Principal • The law is very clear that the principal is an active member of the schoolsite council. • SSC attendance and responsibilities CANNOT be assigned to an assistant principal or other designee.

11. Definition of “Other School Personnel” • INCLUDES: • Administrative personnel (e.g., vice principals, certificated administrative assistants). • Certificated support staff-not assigned as a classroom teacher of record (e.g., counselors, resource teachers). • Classified personnel (e.g., clerical, instructional, custodial and food services staff). • Be sure to include itinerant staff (e.g., translators, nurse, psychologist).

12. Election of Parents and Students • The term “parent” includes a guardian • A community member may serve in the “parent” position as long as the person has been selected by parents of children in the school. • Students can run for the position, similar to school site council or the school’s student body bylaws can be modified to change the current job responsibilities of elected student body offices to include SSC responsibilities.

13. Filling Vacancies • Vacancies can be filled by: • An election by the appropriate representative group; • An appointment by the remaining members of the peer group (only peer group members appoint); or • The seating of a previously elected alternate to fill the remainder of the term. (An interesting suggestion).

14. By-Laws • Set of reasonable rules of operation. • How to select /replace members. • Term of office. • Number of meetings. • Review annually and if necessary, revise.

15. Agenda Requirements • Must be posted in a public place 72 hours prior to the meeting. • Includes the date, time, location, and each item of business. • Provides time on the agenda for public comment.

16. Elect officers Roles and responsibilities By-laws State and Federal Programs Staff development Monitor school programs School plans Discipline plan Parent Workshops Parent involvement Program Improvement Annual evaluation of state and federal programs Review uniform compliant procedures School Accountability Report Card (SARC) Student achievement data Agenda Items

17. Actions of the Site Council Revise Improvement Strategies and Expenditures Reaffirm or Revise School Goals Approve and Recommend SPSA to Local Governing Board Reach Desired Outcomes Seek Advisory Committees Input Monitor Implementation Measure Effectiveness of Improvement Strategies

18. School Board Judicial Role School Site Council Principal Legislative Role Executive Role Roles and Responsibilities

19. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES • Review student achievement data. • Review and update Single Plan for Student Achievement • Modify plan to reflect changing needs related to student achievement. • Ongoing monitor/review of program effectiveness. • Establish and recommend annual budget with input from appropriate advisory committees. • Review, update, and provide input on parental involvement • Recommend the plan to the board for approval.

20. Review Student Achievement Data Progress toward District Standards demonstrated by improvement in: • Student Work • Test Scores • ELD progress • Title I progress • Attendance • Grades

21. Develop Comprehensive Plan • Involve stakeholders • Base on student performance data • Analyze student needs • Teacher input • Parental Involvement • Prioritize needs • Modify plan • Develop budget

22. State and Federal Funds SSC Role: • Student work and data determines areas of concern. • Review current programs. • Determine how student progress can be improved using research based programs. • Get staff and parent advisory group input. • Prioritize budget based on student findings/need. • Monitor the implementation of the Plan and expenditures.

23. Funding Responsibilities • What is the district’s role in approving the plan? • Annual review by Educational Services Division • School Board approval • Sending the plan back for revision when the monitoring of proposed programs have shown to not be successful • When the programs are not based on student needs • When the Single Plan for Student Achievement is not in alignment with the district’s LEA Plan and LCAP.