Joint Staff School Committee Training

1. Joint Staff School Committee Training JSSC

2. Why do we need a JSSC? Provide orderly and professional means of improving educational programs, conditions within school, professional and public relations Involvement of staff in decision making

3. Committee Goal Bring together points of view from administration and staff around pertinent school issues in order to maximize student achievement and improve the well-being of employees.

4. Umbrella Committee Identify potential conflicts or redundancies Assure alignment with SIP, district policies, negotiated agreements Identify and provide information, support, suggestions It is not within the purview of the JSSC to veto or negate the work of other committees, but rather to provide a deeper and more meaningful involvement of staff members in decision-making

5. Who Serves on Committee? Principal and/or assistant principal(s) Members of teaching staff as elected by faculty Two classified employees elected by classifiedstaff Additional Attendance

6. Compensation Stipends paid fromInstruction Improvement Leader funds

7. Meeting Protocol Must meet monthly Enough time for thorough discussion Elected chair should facilitate meeting Written agenda should guide meeting Minutes taken and reported within fiveworking days

8. Voting Procedure Decision making usually through consensus When not forthcoming a vote may be taken Each member has an equal vote

9. Responsibilities of Chair Schedule and conduct meetings Help establish ground rules Involve all members of committee Ensure distribution of minutes

10. Responsibilities of Members Contribute meaningful items for discussion Express opinions of those they represent Gather appropriate input or data Support and implement decisions of committee

11. Contractual Obligations Recommendations for use of professionalleave days Input on assignment of FTE in building Approval of evening meeting other thanparent-teacher meetings Provide liaison for JSSC to CommunityCouncil At all levels Refer items to District Liaison Council Instructional Improvement Leaders Use of Professional Days School Budgeting

12. Contractual Obligations High School High School Input on the use of time during late start Additional Compensation for Supervision of Extracurricular Activities

13. Contractual Obligations Junior High Junior High Approval of exceptions to Friday early out activities Additional Compensation for Supervision of Extracurricular Activities

14. Contractual Obligations Elementary Approval of exceptions to Friday early out activities Prep schedule Approval of prep schedule modifications for special activities Development of plan to distribute SEP stipends Elementary

15. School Improvement Plan Improving educational programs Professional staff relations Public relations/community outreach Conditions within school Communications Staff utilization Problem solving Scheduling of activities Staff Development Track assignments School equipment utilization Innovative site programs Student discipline policy Adjunct responsibilities Budget SIP budget Topics for Discussion

16. How do we pay the classified members of JSSC?

17. Meetings held within regular work hours are part of the requirements of job Meetings held outside regular hours could be paid from IIL funds JSSC

18. Who elects the classified members?

19. Classified members of the staff JSSC

20. What if JSSC decisions are not supported by the administrator?

21. Open communication prevents misunderstandings Minutes should be kept and distributed for future reference Discuss any changes at next meeting JSSC

22. How do we encourage a variety of viewpoints and open discussion?

23. Establish ground rules at beginning of year Bring concerns to committee in a professional manner If you feel like you have followed the rules but were still not listened to, express concerns to JSSC Chair. Every voice should be valued JSSC

24. How can we not be viewed as the “fix it group”?

25. Communicate with staff Share ground rules and goals JSSC

26. What if meetings go on and on and nothing gets decided?

27. Ground rules should include policy for meeting frequency and duration May be helpful to have timekeeper to keep meeting moving forward Good minutes can prevent issues from being addressed over and over JSSC

28. What if we meet infrequently or only when there is a crisis?

29. Establish a meeting calendar JSSC goals can only be accomplished with regular meetings. JSSC

30. What if someone always monopolizes the meeting?

31. Remember, members represent the entire staff not just themselves Chair’s responsibility to make sure all voices are heard and respected JSSC

32. What if we can’t come to a consensus?

33. How decisions will be made should be part of the ground rules Consensus is a powerful way to make decisions, it can be time-consuming Provisions should be in place if consensus cannot be reached JSSC

34. What if the principal has already made the decision and just wants approval?

35. Principals make many decisions that are within their managerial purview on a daily basis It’s helpful to clarify if the principal is seeking input or asking committee to make the final decision JSSC

36. What if no one will risk being open to talking about difficult issues?

37. Avoiding tough issues will not make them go away Someone needs to be brave enough to ask the tough questions or ask for help from the District, DEA, or DESP

38. What if you really don’t function as a group?

39. Acknowledge there is a problem Training and mediation are available from the District, DEA or DESP Take time to develop good group dynamics. It will save time in the long run and make for a more effective school year

40. Positive Outcomes of Well Functioning JSSC Happy and satisfied staff Good direction developed through collaboration Open and effective communication Staff development based on school goals and data from interested groups Positive school climate Instructional strategies that are tailored to fit the needs of your school