What is a School Community Council?

A School Community Council is an advisory committee with communication connections between the school and the community. The SCC is a major part of the overall, decision-making structure at each school.  The council consists of a group of people of the community who are elected by their peers to represent the members of the school community, elected school faculty representatives and the principal of the school.  Some of the decisions that the SCC helps to make are

• Develop a school improvement plan
• Develop a School LAND Trust Plan
• Participate in the development of a school level professional development plan and its implementation
• Develop a child access routing plan
• Advise the school administration on local school issues
• Provide an opportunity for issues of concern in the community to be presented to the school administration
• Review school U-PASS data, but not individual data
• Develop a reading achievement plan (At Elementary Schools)

• To build consistent and effective communication among parents, employees and administrators
• To allow parents an opportunity to be actively involved, with the school, in their children's education
• To make good schools great

Also to ensure:

• School improvement should be sustainable.
• School improvement plans should support the District Strategic Plan.
• The school professional development plan should support and complement the district professional development plan.
• Councils should review all available data as part of the plan development process.

Who Plays What Part in the School Community Council?

The size of the council may be determined by each individual school but a council usually has at least five members.  The number of parent/guardian members must exceed the number of faculty/staff members including the principal.

PRINCIPAL

• Implements the School Improvement Plan and the School LAND Trust plan.
• Ensures that elections to the council are held as required by the law
• Ensures that all reports and plans are submitted as required
• Provides access to school information and budget data that relate to the school improvement, professional development and School LAND Trust Plans
• Provides the council with U-PASS and other school assessment data
• Works with the chairperson in planning meetings and activities

CHAIRPERSON

• Works with the principal in creating meeting agendas
• Presides over meetings
• Ensures that regular meetings are held –usually monthly
• Encourages the attendance and cooperative work of all members
• Makes assignments and provides follow-up

VICE-CHAIRPERSON

• Assists the chairperson
• Takes over the direction of the council in the absence of the chairperson
• Makes sure brief minutes are kept

RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH MEMBER

• Make a conscientious effort to attend all meetings
• Act in good faith for the benefit of the students and the school
• Participate in the development of all required plans
• Be a positive, contributing member of the council
• Participate in other duties as assigned

All council members should:

• Represent those that elected them
• Act as a liaison between the Council and the school community

What About Unfilled Positions?

• If a parent/guardian position is unfilled after elections, the parent/guardian committee members will select a parent/guardian to fill the position.
• If a faculty/staff position is unfilled after elections, the faculty/staff committee members will select a faculty/staff person to fill the position.

How Long is a Term on the Council?

• Two years. Initially, terms were staggered so that approximately half of the council was up for re-election each year.
• A member may be re-elected for three consecutive terms.

Can the Council Appoint Other People to Work on Sub-committees?

Yes, non-elected persons may be appointed to sub-committees or task forces to accomplish specific assignments .  The work of those groups should be overseen and approved by the elected council members.

Are Issues Decided by Majority Vote or by Consensus?

If possible, it is best to make decisions by consensus. Voting is appropriate and necessary on some issues.

Does the Council Have More Authority Than the Principal?

No, the council advises the principal and helps with the decision making process. The council has also been given some responsibilities by law related to the development of school plans. A wise principal will value the work of the council and will use it as a bridge to the community.

Can a School Choose to not Have a School Community Council?

No, it is required by law.  The School Community Council has the potential to be a very positive aspect of a school principal's decision making process.

How is a School Improvement Plan Created?

• It is an on-going plan, so once created, it is simply reviewed and modified each year.
• Collect and review data to determine where you are as a school.
• Decide where you would like to be.
• Develop action plans and strategies that can take you from where you are to where you want to be.

How is a School LAND Trust Plan Different From the School Improvement Plan?

• The Trust Lands Plan is part of the School Improvement Plan.
  
• It must be based on a significant academic need.
• It utilizes a defined amount of money each year. (Go to www.schoollandtrust.org to see how much money you will have.)

There are 3.4 Million acres of School Trust Lands.  They generate income from leases and sales such as:

• Production of oil, gas and coal
• Lot sales for homes, businesses and agriculture
• Commercial and residential development
• Grazing

ALL net proceeds are saved in a Permanent Fund.

Funding for the School LAND Trust Program

From the Permanent Fund to Schools

• State Treasurer invests the fund
• Interest and dividends are distributed each July to fund the School LAND Trust Program
• Schools receive funds based on a per-pupil formula 10% is divided equally among the school districts 90% is per pupil
• Districts add the two together and distribute the total on a per pupil basis to district schools
• Charter Schools are considered as a district
  

When do Schools Receive the Money? 

• Funding is sent to districts in July for the next school year.
• Funding is withheld until schools have a plan on the website and it has been approved
• by the local school board.
• Charter school plans are approved by the State Charter School Board if chartered by
• the state.
• Youth in Custody schools receive the same funding as regular schools in the district.

What Must be Submitted to the Local School Board?

• School Improvement Plan
• School LAND Trust plan and budget
• School Professional Development Plan
• School Performance Report
• Elementary Reading Achievement Plan