BBF - SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCILS
1. Purpose and Preamble
School Advisory Councils (SAC) are created to bring communities and schools closer together in a spirit of cooperation to solve difficult education problems, improve academic achievement, provide support for teachers and administrators, and bring parents into the school-based decision-making process. Their purpose is to help the board of education develop and nurture participation, bring parents and the community together with teachers and school administrators to create a better understanding of and mutual respect for each other's concerns, and share ideas for school improvement.
The management and control of the public schools of this district is the responsibility of the board of education. The instructional administrative leader of each school is the principal. School councils provide advice, recommendations, and assistance and represent the community of parents and businesses.
2. Membership
Members of SACs shall be selected as provided by law and the By-Laws of each SAC. Members must never have been convicted of a felony. Members of SACs shall be fingerprinted and subjected to a criminal history check as provided in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-211(e).
3. Training
The superintendent shall provide a training program to assist principals in forming a School Advisory Council and to assist school council members in the performance of their duties. The training program shall include the organization of the SAC, its purpose and responsibilities, applicable laws, rules, regulations and meeting procedures, and important state and local school system program requirements. At least one additional training program shall be offered to school council members annually.
4. Accountability
The members of the School Advisory Council are accountable to the constituents they serve and shall:
(1.) Maintain a school-wide perspective on issues;
(2.) Regularly participate in SAC meetings;
(3.) Participate in information and training programs;
(4.) Act as link between the SAC and the community;
(5.) Encourage the participation of parents and others within the school community; and
(6.) Work to improve student achievement and performance.
5. Role of the School Principal
The school principal shall have the following duties pertaining to School Advisory Council activities:
(1.) Cause to be created a School Advisory Council (SAC) pursuant to this Policy by convening the appropriate bodies to select school council members; setting the initial agenda, meeting time, and location; and notifying all school council members of the same;
(2.) Perform all of the duties required by law, this Policy and the by-laws of the council;
(3.) Communicate all SAC requests for information and assistance to the Superintendent and inform the SAC of the Superintendent’s responses or actions;
(4.) Develop the school improvement plan and school operation plan and submit the plans to the SAC for its review, comments, recommendations, and approval, and;
(5.) Aid in the development of the agenda for each meeting of the SAC after taking into consideration suggestions of council members and the urgency of school matters. An item may be added to the agenda at the request of three or more council members.
6. Scope of School council Responsibilities
School Advisory Councils are advisory bodies only, and have no power or responsibilities with respect to the control and management of the school. They may provide advice and recommendations to the principal and, where appropriate, the board of education on any matter affecting the school, including but not limited to the following:
(1.) School Board policies;
(2.) School improvement plans;
(3.) Curriculum and assessments;
(4.) Report cards issued or audits of the school conducted by the Office of Education Accountability;
(5.) Preparation and distribution to the community of a school profile which shall contain data as identified by the council to describe the academic performance, academic progress, services, awards, interventions, environment, and other such data as the council deems appropriate;
(6.) School budget priorities, including school capital improvements plans;
(7.) School-community communication strategies;
(8.) Methods of involving parents and the community;
(9.) Extracurricular activities in the school;
(10.) School-based and community services;
(11.) Community use of school facilities;
(12.) Student discipline and attendance;
(13.) Receiving and reviewing reports from the school principal regarding progress toward the school's student achievement goals, including progress within specific grade levels and subject areas and by school personnel; and
(14.) The method and specifications for the delivery of early intervention services or other appropriate services for underachieving students.
7. Providing Information; Liaison
The Superintendent shall provide to the SAC all requested information not specifically made confidential by law, including school site budget and expenditure information and site average class sizes by grade, to a SAC, as requested or as required by state law or state board rules. The superintendent shall designate an employee of the school district to attend school council meetings, as requested by a council, for the purposes of responding to questions the council may have concerning information provided to it by the superintendent or actions taken by the board of education. The central administration shall be responsive to requests for information from a SAC.
8. Recommendation to Fill the Position of Principal
The Superintendent shall involve the SAC of a school that has a vacancy in the principal position as follows:
(1.) Vacancy: A vacancy for purposes of this policy is defined as occurring when a school principal submits to the Superintendent in writing an intent to resign or retire at the end of the existing school year by March 1.
(2.) Principal: A principal for purposes of this policy is defined as an existing principal of a regular elementary, middle, or high school. It does not include assistant principals, interim principals, or principals or directors of special schools operated by the Baldwin County School District.
The SAC, with the assistance of the central office administration, will develop a school profile and outline of the leadership needs for the school to be delivered to the Superintendent for his/her consideration in the selection of a principal candidate to be recommended by the Superintendent to the Board of Education.
The Superintendent retains all authority to recommend employment under O.C.G.A. § 20-2-211(a).
9. Board of Education Action on the Recommendation of a School Council
The Superintendent shall include a School Advisory Council report or recommendation of a school council as an action item on the agenda of regular or special meetings of the board of education consistent with the legal requirement that such recommendations be considered and responded to within sixty (60) days of receipt.
Written notice of such agenda item shall be given to the members of the SAC at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting, and public notice shall be given by posting the agenda of the meeting as provided in Policy BCBD and/or by the notice provided in Policy BCBB in the case of a special meeting.
A member designated by the SAC shall be afforded an opportunity to present information in support of the SAC’s report or recommendation.
A recommendation of the SAC will not become effective unless a majority of the board members present, representing a quorum, vote in favor of the recommendation. Failure of the board to meet or consider a SAC’s recommendation within the timeframe and methods specified in this policy will not constitute an automatic approval of the SAC’s recommendation.
Reference:
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-85, et seq.
Adopted: 4/10/01
Revised: 11/13/01
Revised: 11/29/04
BALDWIN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION