School Community Council Overview & Orientation Hawaii Department of Education For Training Use Only Office of Curriculum Instruction and Student Support School Renewal and Redesign Section

Objectives: Provide an overview of the purpose of School Community Councils. Provide a road map to organizing your Council.

What is a School Community Council? Forums for open discussion and problem solving related to student achievement and school improvement. School-Based Council composed of principal, teachers, non-certificated staff, students, parents and community members.

SCC is composed of… The Principal. And, at least one member of each of the following groups: Teachers elected by teachers. Non-certificated support staff elected by non- certificated support staff. Student Representatives selected by the student council. Parent Representatives elected by parents. Community Representatives elected by parents.

Membership School personnel cannot be parent or community representatives. Legislators, Board of Education members cannot be SCC representatives. Parents can be community representatives as long as they are not an employee of the school.

Balanced Representation 50% of the members are from the school staff including the principal, teachers and non- certificated support staff. 50% of the members are parents, students and community members. 3+3=6 members If you add a member to one side, then you need to add a member to the other side in order to keep a 50% balance.

Why were SCCs established? Establishing School Community Councils at each school to provide a mechanism whereby key stakeholders can have a substantially increased voice in the affairs of their local schools. Required by Act 51: Part V- Community Involvement.

“Spirit” and Intent of Act 51 Strengthen the ties between school and community. Provide a voice for all major stakeholder groups. Create opportunities for collaboration and partnership in the educational system. Focus on a shared goal of improving student achievement and system’s accountability.

Elections: Nominations/Voting The Principal is responsible for ensuring that elections are conducted fairly for each role group.  Nominations should be conducted with evidence of a wide solicitation for nominees.  Voting should follow the democratic election process.  The SCC Bylaws should include the guidelines for the election process.

SCC Bylaws The Bylaws provide the framework from which the Council will operate. The Bylaws cannot contradict the requirements in Act 51/Act 221 legislation. The Bylaws should be reviewed annually and amended as necessary.

SCC Roles and Responsibilities The SCC is the “trustee” of the school’s vision and mission. Acts as caretaker of the school. Functions in an advisory role. Practices good stewardship. Approaches issues from a unified perspective. Focuses decisions based upon what is best for ALL students. Contributes to the shared goal of improving student achievement.

SCC Responsibilities include: Review the Academic Plan and Financial Plan and provide recommendations including school budget. Review evidence of school progress on the implementation of the Academic Plan and Financial Plan on a regular basis. Participate in the principal selection and evaluation process (SCC Principal Survey). Submit requests for waivers to policies, rules, procedures and exceptions to collective bargaining agreements. Provide recommendations for revising or creating new school level policies and procedures. Provide opportunities for community input. Review principal’s determination of school’s repair and maintenance needs.

Waivers are to BOE policies, DOE procedures, rules or regulations, and to other state agency policies. Exceptions are to Collective Bargaining Agreements. Waivers and Exceptions

BOE Policy 2412 SCC Waivers and Exceptions Designed to enhance flexibility in order to facilitate school improvement. Aligned with the school’s Academic Plan and Financial Plan. Demonstrates how it will improve student learning and increase student achievement. Reflects a consensus of the school community.

Waivers and Exceptions All SCC Waivers/Exceptions requests for non-instructional days that impact the school calendar and other requests that require timely action/follow-up. Due Date: 2 nd Friday in Dec. All other SCC Waiver/Exception requests. Due Date: 2 nd Friday in March.

SCC Waiver/Exception Approval Process SCC Educational Specialist or his/her designee will review the requests. Requests presented to SCC Exception Review Committee for recommendation. HSTA Exception Review Committee: - 2 HSTA Union members - 2 BOE members HGEA Exception Review Committee: - 2 HGEA Union members - 2 BOE members

SCC Waiver/Exception Approval Process (continued) BOE representatives from the SCC Exception Review Committee present requests to the Full Board for approval. School administrator or CAS may be present at the BOE meeting for questions.

SCC Meetings Effectiveness of meetings requires planning.  Define the purpose of the meeting.  Plan the agenda.  Set the date and time limit.  Establish and follow ground rules.

Public Notice of Meetings Notices and agendas of SCC meetings must be posted in the school’s administrative office and on the School Documents Online (SDO) website not less than 6 calendar days prior to the meeting. Minutes of SCC meetings must be posted in the school’s administrative office and on the SDO website on a timely basis.

Values of School-Based Shared Decision Making Supports a common vision Unites all members of the school community. Focus is on students and improved learning. Being informed and having a voice in shared decision-making.

Decision Making Guidelines BOE SCC Policy 2411 requires the following: Provide an outline of decision making processes that may be used by the SCC; provided that each SCC decision making process includes a fallback procedure whereby the final recommendations of the SCC are made by majority vote, by the principal, or by some other method that is agreed upon by the SCC.

Decision Making Defined: Voting: “majority rules,” a simple majority of those eligible to vote is needed for making decisions. Compromise: a collection of viewpoints are put together where most preferences are included in the decision. Consensus: “for the good of the whole” based on the school’s vision/mission. All view points are heard and the decision is supported by the group. Fallback from Consensus: a “fallback” decision-making option can be prearranged if it is felt that the group may not be able to reach consensus. (for educational reform decisions, a vote of a large majority, e.g. 80% of participants, may be appropriate.) Once a decision is made, everyone commits to its implementation. Decision Making

Decision Making Considerations Focus decisions on what is best for all students. Seek involvement by the wider community. Support decisions with data and research. Become a learning community. Be aware of collective bargaining issues.

Approval Process/Decision Making The Principal may set aside any decision made by the SCC if determined to be in the best interest of the school with notification to the SCC. The SCC may appeal to the CAS for resolution and if necessary, to the Superintendent and finally to the BOE. The Superintendent may recommend to the BOE dissolution of a SCC or removal of any member if deemed necessary.

Resources for SCCs School Community Council (SCC) go to:

The Value of SCC Membership Become an important partner in the educational system. Contribute to the shared goal of improving student achievement. Have a vehicle through which to express opinions and share ideas. Be able to keep informed about what is happening at the school.

In Summary… SCCs play a vital role in the education system in Hawaii. Organize, plan and utilize the SCC Handbook II as a guide. Focus all discussions and decisions on what’s in the best interest of the students.