Transcript Local Accountability and Partnerships Panel

Introduction
Saskatchewan School Boards Association
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Councils and Principals
Regina, Saskatchewan
February 28, 2006
Welcome
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Craig Melvin and Robin Endsin
Georgia Joorisity, Gary Shaddock and Shirley Gange
Deborah Agema,Saskatchewan Association of School Councils
Barry Bashutski, Saskatchewan School Boards Association
Richard Buettner, Saskatchewan School Boards Association
Tom Chell, Department of Learning
Lionel Diederichs, Saskatchewan Association of School
Business Officials
Rhonda Grant, Department of Learning
Terry Kuz, Principal: White City School
Ken Loehndorf, League of Educational Administrators,
Directors and Superintendents
Ken Moore, Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation
Edith Nagy, Department of Learning
Bill Wells, Saskatchewan School Boards Association
Welcome
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Presenters
Craig Melvin and Robin Endsin
Consultants
Georgia Joorisity, Gary Shaddock and Shirley Gange
Reference
Committee
Deborah Agema,Saskatchewan Association of School Councils
Barry Bashutski, Saskatchewan School Boards Association
Richard Buettner, Saskatchewan School Boards Association
Tom Chell, Department of Learning
Lionel Diederichs, Saskatchewan Association of School
Business Officials
Rhonda Grant, Department of Learning
Terry Kuz, Principal: White City School
Ken Loehndorf, League of Educational Administrators,
Directors and Superintendents
Ken Moore, Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation
Edith Nagy, Department of Learning
Bill Wells, Saskatchewan School Boards Association
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Introduction
Purpose
Objectives
To support implementation of School Community
Councils
To provide:
Understanding of the background and framework
Knowledge of the purpose, role and responsibilities
Orientation to the Implementation Handbooks
Awareness of implementation timetable and initiatives
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Introduction
Sense of
Urgency
To support implementation of School Community
Councils
To provide:
Understanding of the background and framework
Knowledge of the purpose, role and responsibilities
Orientation to the Implementation Handbooks
Awareness of implementation timetable and initiatives
Agenda
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Tuesday February 28, 2006
10:00 a.m.
10:15
10:45
12:00 noon
1:00 p.m.
2:30
2:45
3:30
4:00
Introduction, Objectives and Agenda
Background: The Road Traveled
Roles of School Community Councils and
Principals
Lunch
Roles of Boards of Education and
Administrators
Break
Implementation Priorities
Next Steps: The Road Ahead
Adjourn
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Background
Local
Accountability
and
Partnerships
Panel
Craig Melvin, Chair
Shirley Gange
Gary Shaddock
Purpose
To recommend a framework for local accountability
and community involvement in schools .
Background
Expectations
and Criteria
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
The Framework will:
1. Be common and province-wide yet flexible.
2. Focus on enhancing learning outcomes and
supporting the learning program and supports for
learning.
3. Ensure Board of Education accountability
Background
Vision:
Integral,
purposeful
and Valued
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
The School Community Council is an integral,
purposeful and valued component of school
division governance.
• Created through an election process.
• Integrated into Board of Education and schoollevel decision making processes.
• Work jointly and cooperatively with the community
and school staff.
• Guided by common standards included in
legislation. Boards of Education address flexibility
through policy.
Background
Vision:
Integral,
purposeful
and valued
Inclusive
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
The School Community Council is inclusive of the
community and representative of the students in the
school.
• Membership includes elected Representative
Parent and Community Members, student and First
Nations representatives, and Permanent Members
including the Principal or delegate(s), a teacher
and appointed advisory representatives to support
implementation of SchoolPLUS.
• Parents representative of the student body.
• Nomination and election at Annual Meeting.
• Two-year terms with annual elections.
• Involvement is voluntary.
Background
Vision:
Integral,
purposeful
and valued
Inclusive
Clear roles
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
The School Community Council roles are clear and
well understood.
• The purpose of School Community Councils is “to
develop shared responsibility for the learning
success and well-being for all children and youth
and encourage and facilitate parent and
community engagement and”.
• Understands community; Advises the school,
Board and others; Develops and Recommends the
Learning Improvement Plan; Approves fees,
fundraising and student code of conduct; Takes
Action on its initiatives, Reports annually; and
Develops its Capacity.
• Develops and submits for approval a constitution
to the Board.
Background
Vision:
Integral,
purposeful
and valued
Inclusive
Clear roles
Address
student
learning and
well-being
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
The School Community Councils responsibilities
address key matters that make a difference in
student learning and well-being.
• Focuses its attention on the areas of the Learning
Improvement Plan where the parent/community
perspective and efforts are most appropriate and
needed.
• Monitors its activities to support continuous
improvement in the areas of student learning and
well-being.
Background
Vision:
Integral,
purposeful
and valued
Inclusive
Clear roles
Address
student
learning and
well-being
Aligned
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
The School Community Council aligns its work with
Provincial Continuous Improvement Framework and
School Division Continuous Improvement Plan.
• Work aligns with the provincial overarching
accountability framework and focuses on related
division goals and initiatives.
• Work aligns with provincial and division learning
and well-being outcomes for students.
Background
Vision:
Integral,
purposeful
and valued
Inclusive
Clear roles
Address
student
learning and
well-being
Aligned
Accountable
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
The School Community Council is accountable,
transparent and responsive in its relationship with
parents and the school community.
• Actively engages parents and community members
in matters of concern related to public education.
• Reflects the nature of community in which it is
situated by collecting and sharing appropriate
information with others.
• Regularly reports on its activities to parents, the
school, and the community.
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Background
Key
•
Understandings
•
•
•
•
•
Boards of Education are responsible and
accountable
Parent and community engagement is valued
Activities of School Community Councils fall within
Board policy or guidelines
One entity at the school level
Boards of Education provide ongoing orientation,
training and networking for School Community
Councils
Boards of Education provide school principals with
professional development, networking
opportunities, administrative release time and
clerical support
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Vision
Questions and
Discussion


What do you like about the vision for School
Community Councils?
What concerns do you have about the vision for
School Community Councils?
Role
Understand
Pages 5-6
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Understand parent, student and public economic,
social and health conditions and needs and their
aspirations for child and youth learning and wellbeing and to become knowledgeable about
resources and supports for the school, parents
and community.
Role
Understand
Develop and
recommend
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Develop and recommend a Learning Improvement
Plan, jointly and in cooperation with the Principal
and staff of the school, for approval to the Board of
Education.
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Role
Understand
Develop and 
recommend
Advise and
approve

Provide advice and represent the parents and
community to:
• the Board of Education on policies, programs
and educational service delivery decisions,
including grade discontinuance, school
closure, religious observances and language of
instruction;
• the school on its programs and operations;
• other organizations, agencies and
governments on the learning and well-being
needs of children and youth; and,
Approve fundraising activities, school fees
and the Student Code of Conduct.
Role
Understand
Develop and
recommend
Advise and
approve
Take action
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Take action to engage parents and community, to
develop shared responsibility for child and youth
learning and well-being, and to fulfil initiatives
assigned it within the Learning Improvement Plan.
Role
Understand
Develop and
recommend
Advise and
approve
Take action
Report
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Report annually to the parents and community on
its plans, initiatives and outcomes and on the
expenditure of funds related to the operation of the
School Community Council.
Role
Understand
Develop and
recommend
Advise and
approve
Take action
Report
Participate
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Participate in opportunities to develop the capacity
of the School Community Council to fulfil these
responsibilities.
Guiding
Principles
Representative
Pages 8-9
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
School Community Councils are an integral
component of School Division governance. They
strive through their membership and their actions
to be representative of all students attending the
school
Guiding
Principles
Representative
Inclusive
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
School Community Councils recognize all
members of the school community can make a
difference in the learning success and well-being
of children and youth. In their activities, School
Community Councils engage in processes to
ensure all voices in the school community are
heard and all perspectives are taken into account.
Guiding
Principles
Representative
Inclusive
Respectful
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
School Community Councils understand school
communities are complex environments. Councils
recognize the importance of both lay and
professional perspectives within the community
and strive to appreciate all viewpoints.
Guiding
Principles
Representative
Inclusive
Respectful
Trustworthy
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
School Community Councils conduct their affairs
in an open and transparent manner. Councils
honour the right to privacy of individuals and treat
all information they are privy to with appropriate
discretion and sensitivity.
Guiding
Principles
Representative
Inclusive
Respectful
Trustworthy
Responsive
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
School Community Councils make every effort to
respond to the needs and aspirations of the school
community they represent. They regularly consult
with students, parents, community members, the
Board of Education, the school Principal, school
staff and others. In addition to this, Councils
respond to requests for guidance and direction, by
the Board of Education, school Principal and other
community agencies and organizations that
support children and youth.
Guiding
Principles
Representative
Inclusive
Respectful
Trustworthy
Responsive
Effective
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
School Community Councils focus their attention
and efforts on key matters that make a difference in
student learning and well-being. Keeping in mind
their understandings related to their own unique
school communities, Councils align their work with
provincial and School Division goals and initiatives
related to student learning and well-being
outcomes.
Guiding
Principles
Representative
Inclusive
Respectful
Trustworthy
Responsive
Effective
Committed
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
School Community Councils are committed to
fulfilling their role as a vital link in school level
governance. Councils evaluate their performance
regularly, take advantage of opportunities to build
their capacity and account to the public they
represent and the Board of Education on their
progress.
Handbook
Contents
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Chapter 1.0 School Community Councils Background
 Purpose and Vision
 Roles and Relationships
Chapter 2.0 Beginnings
 Two-year Calendar
Chapter 3.0 The Work of Councils
 Responsibilities of School Community
Councils
 Building a Constitution
Chapter 4.0 Assessing Progress
Chapter 5.0 Principal’s Role on the School Community
Council
 A Focus on Relationships
 Promoting School Community Council
Development
 Self-Reflection for Principals
Handbook
Contents
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Appendix A: School Community Council Meetings
1.0 Effective Meetings
2.0 Steps to Resolve Conflict
3.0 Decision-Making Methods
4.0 Sample Code of Conduct
5.0 School Community Council Meeting Evaluation
6.0 Committees
Appendix B: School Community Council
Responsibilities
1.0 Example of a School Community Profile
2.0 Needs Assessment
3.0 Advice
4.0 Approval of Fundraising
5.0 Engaging Parents and Community Members
Appendix C: Legislation
Handbook
Quick Review
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators

Beginnings - Two-Year Calendar…p11

Learning Improvement Plan Development…p22

Fees and Fundraising…p28

Communications…p32

Building the Constitution…p43
Code of Conduct…p45
Decision-Making…p48
Complaints and Concerns…p49

Improvement…p63
Beginnings
Two-year
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
2006
May
Calendar
Pages 11-17
•Elections and Annual Meeting
•Elect Officers
September
•Constitution Development
•Parent and Community Engagement Plan
•School Community Profile Development
November
•Draft Constitution to Board
•Consider Permanent Advisory Members
December
Learn about School Division CI Plan
Beginnings
Two-year
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
2007
January
Calendar
•Welcome Permanent Advisory Members
•Explore Capacity Building
February
•Establish Committees
March
•Draft Annual Report
April
•Recruit new members
•Consider Fees and Fund Raising Approvals
May
•Elections, Annual Meeting and Orientation of new
Council Members
Beginnings
Two-year
Calendar
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
2007
June
•Elect Officers, Set Meeting Schedule
•Connect with Division Administrative Contact
•Review Communications Plan with Principal
September
•Constitution Review
•LI Plan Development
•Parent and Community Engagement Plan
October
•School Community profile updated
•Review Student Code of Conduct
•Recommend LI Plan, Permanent Member Advice
Beginnings
Two-year
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
2007
December
Calendar
•Draft Annual Report
2008
January
•Review/evaluation of Council operations
February
•Capacity Building
•Continue on LI Plan responsibilities
April
•Annual Report to Board
•Recruit new members
•Consider Fees and Fund Raising Approvals
May
•Elections
LI Plan
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
p22
Learning
Improvement
Plan
Development
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Reviewing the School Community Profile
Establishing Beliefs and Creating a Vision
Reassessing Needs Based on the Vision
Developing Objectives
Creating an Action Plan
Identifying Program Supports
Submitting the Plan to the Board for Approval
Monitoring/Evaluating and Communicating
Accomplishments to the School Community
Fees and
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Fundraising
p. 28
Approving
Fundraising
Activities and
School Fees
Fundraising Considerations:





Monitoring
Transparency in Reporting
Barriers to Learning
Educational Benefit
Governance
And, School Division policy or guidelines on purpose,
type of initiative and amount.
Fees and
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Fundraising
p. 28
Approving
Fundraising
Activities and
School Fees
Board of Education limitations may constrain fees for:






General classroom consumables or supplies such
as notebooks;
Classroom activities such as fieldtrip
transportation or skating fees;
Curriculum project supplies such as wood, metal,
or fabrics;
Textbook caution;
Student Representative Councils (SRC); and
Extra-curricular activities.
Fees and
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Fundraising
p. 28
Approving
Fundraising
Activities and
School Fees
School Division direction in respect to:



Keeping records including source and use of
funds, receipts, disbursements,
Establishing bank accounts and keeping cash,
Condition and access to records.
Communications
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
p. 32
Reporting to
Parents and
Community
Communications:


Understand interests and information needs of
parents and community
Climate of open and honest communication where
views are respected
Channels of Communication:
 Among Council Members
 With the Principal
 With the Community
 Among Councils in the Division
 With other agencies and organizations in the
community
 With the Board
Communications
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
p. 32
Reporting to
Parents and
Community
Communications Planning:




Planning considerations
Strategies to convey the message and to consult
Coordination
Evaluation
Annual Report:
 Related to specific Council responsibilities
 LI Plan and Council initiatives
 Initiatives taken outside of the LI Plan
 Advice provided by the Council
 Approvals for Fees, Fundraising and Student
Code of Conduct
 Consultative processes
 Expenditure of funds
Constitution
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
p. 43
Code of
Conduct



Examples
Process
 Read examples
 Determine personal principles
 Record suggestions
 Identify common ideas or themes
 Translate into statements
 Create a draft
 Review and adopt
Conflict of interest
Constitution
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
p. 43
Code of
Conduct
Decisionmaking




Majority vote
Consensus
Participation of staff
Special circumstances
Constitution
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
p. 43
Code of

Conduct
Decisionmaking

Complaints 
and Concerns

Roles and Responsibilities
Principal, Vice Principal, Teachers and Other
Staff
Processes
Communication Channels
Sample Guidelines
Do not deal with individuals
Informal complaints/concerns
Formal complaints/concerns
Conflict Resolution Procedures
Building
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Capacity
Assessing
Progress



Focus on Role and Responsibilities
Attention to Outcomes
Evaluation of Council Operations and Relations
Principal
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Relationships
Roles of the Principal are to:
Council
Development

SelfReflection


Develop the relationship with the Council
Promote Council development by supporting:
Elections
Annual Meeting
Constitution
Communication Plan
Ongoing Council development
Reflect on personal behaviours and initiatives
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Handbook
Questions and
Discussion


What do you like about the Handbook for School
Community Councils and Principals?
What concerns do you have about the Handbook
for School Community Councils and Principals?
Introduction
Saskatchewan School Boards Association
School Community Councils
Seminar for School Division Administrators
Regina, Saskatchewan
February 28, 2006