Department of Continuous Improvement Initiatives

School Advisory Council Training

2014 - 2015

Dr. Terrie Mitev, Executive DirectorMrs. Jodi Cronin, Coordinator of School Improvement

1. SAC Membership

2. Policies and Procedures of the SAC

3. Government in the Sunshine

Agenda:

• A council (not committee) with statutory authority to serve in an advisory role supporting a school’s improvement

• Established to give parents, students, community members, and teachers a greater role in the decision making process at their schools

The School Advisory Council:

Who are the SAC Members? (State Statue 1001.452)• By Statute

– Principal

• By Election– Teachers

– Other School Staff members

*These members represent less than 50% of the membership.

• By Election– Parents

– Students - only in secondary schools

• By Appointment– Community Stakeholders

*These members represent more than 50% of the membership.

• Elected from their peer groups

• Must represent “the ethnic, racial and economic makeup of the community served by the school”

• Majority of the school’s SAC members (over 51%) not employed by the school district

• Community members may be appointed to achieve ethnic balance

SAC Members

August/September –

• SAC vacancies advertised

• 2 general notifications made to peer groups (notifications must include information on the nomination process and deadlines)

• Election by peer group

• Appointments of community stakeholders made by the Principal subject to SAC member consensus

SAC Elections and Appointments:

• Is the principal a voting member? YES

• Can the assistant principal be a member?No. An assistant principal can and probably should attend meetings and give input, but may not be a voting member of SAC

• What is the allowable % difference between student demographic composition and SAC composition?– DOE recommends a maximum of 10%. – In case of an audit, documentation will be required showing

every effort was made to achieve compliance.

SAC Membership FAQ

The SAC assists school leadership in decisions related to

• Evaluation of schools’ improvement initiatives/results

• Preparation and approval of school improvement plan

• Review of school improvement strategies and quarterly assessment data

• Annual school budget and use of school improvement funds

• Approval of the use of A+ Recognition funds (if awarded)

SAC Responsibilities

Title IV, 24.121 Allocation of revenues and expenditure of funds for public education (State Lotteries)

Funds:

• May be expended only on programs/projects selected by SAC

• Not subject to override by the principal or school district staff (subject to audit)

• Not used for capital improvements or projects over one year -however SAC may determine to approve for subsequent year

School Improvement Funds

Use of funds jointly determined by faculty & SAC; may be used in several ways (bonuses, materials & supplies, temporary personnel or any combination)

• Decision not reached by February 1: funds dispersed as bonuses classroom teachers currently teaching this school year (ss.24.121 ‐ State Lotteries)

School Recognition Funds

Statutory requirement: By-Laws/Operations Manual

• Review and update annually

• Clear processes for:– Nominating and voting

– Membership terms

– Responsibilities and functions of the Council

• Establishes– Minimum of 8 duly advertised regular meeting dates

– Procedures for replacing any members missing 2 or more meetings

*Robert’s Rules of Order are not required by statute, but many schools choose to put them in their By-Laws/Operations Manual.

SAC Bylaws/Operations Manual

• 5 days advance written notice of upcoming votes to all SAC members

• Vote requires quorum (51%) present• Meetings to be scheduled when parents, students,

teachers, business persons, and members of the community can attend

• Maintain detailed minutes of all meetings• Minutes must be available in school office

SAC Meetings

• School Improvement Plan

• School Improvement Funds

• School Recognition Funds

SAC: Required Votes

• Required in Statute and Policy

• Verification of proper procedures in voting

• Attendance: quorum records

• Documentation of decisions & business

• Accelerate business

• Succeeding officers, & members

SAC Minutes!

MNUTES [DATE] [TIME] [Location]

SAC CHAIR [Name]

PRINCPAL  

NOTIFICATION OF MEETING

[Date sent, method, location of posted notification]

MEMBERS PRESENT [List Names]

MEMBERS ABSENT [List Names]

QUORUM PRESENT? [Yes/No]

WELCOME [Record all pertinent information]

APPROVAL OF MINUTES [Record all pertinent information]

CHANGES TO AGENDA [Record all pertinent information]

AGENDA ITEM 1 [Record all pertinent information]

AGENDA ITEM 2 [Record all pertinent information]

AGENDA ITEM 3 [Record all pertinent information]

AGENDA ITEM 4 [Record all pertinent information]

AGENDA ITEM 5 [Record all pertinent information]

OPEN AGENDA [Record all pertinent information]

NEXT MEETING: DATE  

NEXT MEETING: AGENDA TOPICS

 

MINUTES SUBMITTED BY  

Minutes Include

• SAC meetings are public meetings and subject to the Sunshine Law ss.286.011(1)– Reasonable Notice

– Open to public

– Held in public locations

– Minutes taken, votes recorded & available to public (public records)

– Open voting---no secret ballots

Florida Sunshine Law

• Public advertising of meeting. Public meeting place. Accessible to the public. Welcome to the public. Audible to the public. Public may videotape or record meetings. Public participation.

• Minutes taken, votes recorded & available to public (public records)

• Even just 2 members discussing SAC must be “in the Sunshine” (can include agenda prep)

Florida Sunshine Law

• Minimum of 8 meetings per year. Average 80% attendance of members.

• Annual presentation of School Improvement Plan to school community after public notice all stakeholders (school marquee, flyers, etc.).

• Evidence of ongoing training and/or development of the SAC

• School Improvement Plan reflects one new idea that involves the community in its implementation.

• School Advisory Council participated in the development and/or interpretation of the needs assessment data.

• Provide training for staff and SAC members on collaborative partnering and shared decision‐making.

• www.fldoe.org/family/fivestar.asp

SAC and 5 Star School Award

1. SAC Membership

2. Polices and Procedures of the SAC

3. Government in the Sunshine

Questions or Comments

Summary

For additional information, contact:

Dr. Terrie Mitev, 377-0022Mrs. Jodi Cronin, 377-0028

Thank you for willing to serve on the School Advisory Council!