Site Council

Site council in meeting.What is a Site Council?

Site Councils are forums for shared governance. Recent research suggests that shared decision making, when done well, contributes to improved school culture and a strong professional community of educators. Effective shared decision making supports improved classroom practice and student learning. School Site Councils can be a part of the school improvement effort in each school.

Site Councils are based on three principles:

  1. Individuals closest to the students should
    be more involved in making significant decisions affecting the instructional program of the school.
  2. A plan to improve education at a school receives more support when people understand and/or help create the plan.
  3. When families participate in a variety of ways in their children’s education, including decision making, their children and the school are more successful.

Site Councils are Mandated by State and District Policy

Each school has a Site Council made up of parents, staff, community, and business members that meet during the school year. The Site Council serves as an advisory board on school issues introducing a variety of ideas, views, cultures, and backgrounds by the diverse members of the group.

Site Councils discuss important, high-impact issues such as budget, personnel, organization, planning, curriculum and instruction. See USD 259 Policy P2210 School Site Councils.

Why is Your Involvement Important?

Group of children together with mother in hemock.

Parents

This is your chance to make a difference for your child and your school. Participation in Site Council will help you to provide ongoing support for the students and the staff of the school in the following ways.

 

 

You will:

  • help make decisions that improve student achievement.
  • be a voice for all parents at your school and an advocate for all children.
  • learn about the day-to-day operations of your school.
  • assist the administration with problem solving in an advisory role.

Community/Organization

The school is part of your neighborhood! We share the same goal—to create a caring and safe community for ourselves and our children now and in the future. By working together, we can address those issues that affect all of us. Your involvement is important.

Schools are the foundation for a thriving community. Businesses rely on the schools for a future workforce and community stability. Businesses in a school/community boundaries benefit from having a voice at the table in Site Council operations. Participation of business members has the obvious advantage of bringing the expertise and experience of those outside the school setting to support schools and children.

Site Council Activities

Site Councils are advisory groups that meet with the principal and other staff to discuss “high impact” topics.

What topics or issues are discussed at Site Councils?

Site Councils are encouraged to focus on areas that have the highest impact on student achievement.

High impact areas include school budget, attendance and dropout rates, and intervention strategies.

Core impact areas include curriculum, school improvement, and parent involvement.

Minimal impact areas include field trips, school uniforms, and appreciation activities.

What information is available to Site Council members?

All decisions should be based on data. It is a good idea to become familiar with:

  • Mission/focus areas for school and district.
  • Demographic information for the school and community.
  • Assessment Data
  • Dropout and attendance rate.
  • Campus Improvement Plan.
  • Intervention Plans.
  • QPA (Quality Performance Accreditation) information.
  • Parent Involvement Strategies.

USD 259 Policy P2210 School Site Councils

A seated crowd from behind.Each school shall have a School Site Council to identify, consider, and discuss educational problems and issues in the local school and to provide advice and counsel for evaluating state, school district, and school site performance goals and objectives, and to recommend methods which may be employed at the school site to meet these goals and objectives.

Site Council Objectives

  • Identify and discuss educational problems and issues.
  • Provide communication between school and community.
  • Provide advice and counsel for evaluating school district goals and objectives and make recommendations for the school to meet these goals and objectives.

Membership

The council shall be representative of the school and of the community. Membership must include a representative from each group listed below.

School: Principal, Teachers, Other School Staff
Community: Parents, Business, Community/ Organization

Members shall be selected on the basis of divergent geographic and socioeconomic conditions and ethnic groups as well as divergent viewpoints. At the high school level, pupil representatives shall be included on the council. Middle and elementary school students may be included.

Guidelines

The council shall establish operational guidelines for meeting format, and selecting members and leadership. Councils are encouraged to meet monthly during the school year. Councils will meet no less than four times per school year.

A written report of the activities and accomplishments during the year shall be submitted to the Central Office at the end of the year. This report will serve as the required report to the Board of Education and will be forwarded to the State Board of Education to meet that reporting requirement. A summary of School Site Council activities will be made available to each Site Council.

10 Reasons to Participate

  1. Schools need you!
  2. Children do better in school when parents are involved.
  3. Schools are better schools when parents and community members are involved.
  4. You will learn how the school district works.
  5. Training is provided.
  6. You will get to know staff, parents, and members of the community.
  7. You will learn about programs and policies at your school.
  8. You’ll help make important decisions that affect children.
  9. Students will know you care.
  10. You will make a difference.

Site Council Training Support

Training session.

For direct involvement in the school, PTR provides training by request for Site Council members. Site Councils are comprised of parents, staff, students, and members of the community. Topics include orientation for new members, chairperson training, curriculum and assessment, budget, organization, and planning.

 

Questions?

To participate in a Site Council, or to request Site Council training, call the school office or Parent Teacher Resources at 973-7908.