1. Site Governance Team Basics
Labor Relations Division
August 2015

2. Purpose of an SGT
SGTs are responsible for building a collaborative instructional vision and are accountable for the results
SDEA Collective Bargaining Agreement, Article 24:
“The scope of authority of a governance team shall include improvement of the instructional program as its main focus”

3. Quality decision making happens closest to the site and includes all stakeholders

4. By-laws By-laws are required to outline:
Scope of authority
Participants
Decision-making process to be used
Procedure for resolution of disputes regarding interpretation of the governance documents
Must be reviewed every 2 to 4 years
SDEA Article
District policies uphold shared decision- making

5. General SGT Duties
Ensure shared decision making occurs on instructional programs including, but not limited to:
Elimination of an existing bargaining unit positions
Change in the school’s subject emphasis
School-wide student discipline plan
Staff dress codes
Start times that don’t result in additional District expense
Develop and implement site security plan
Multiple-site assignments for applicable programs
By-laws further define committee’s scope of authority
SDEA Article , SDUSD Admin Procedures and 9060

6. Scope of Authority Principal has the right to:
Schedule/assign
Staff the school
Budget the school
Board policy calls for collaboration in decision-making along these three lines
Site by-laws may have more specific details

7. SGT Decision-Making
Board policy and most by-laws speak to decision-making as operating by consensus:
Lack of agreement is viewed as a signal that the best option for the site has not yet been developed and put forward
A decision everyone can live with
Consensus does not mean unanimity
Not all discussions require endless discussion
Consensus does not mean unanimity
Not all decisions require endless discussion
Whether or not discussions should continue depends on:
The importance of the issue relative to others on the agenda, given available time;
Whether those with differing views feel satisfied that others have understood their views, regardless of having reached an agreement; and
How strongly people feel about the issue

8. SGT Decision-Making
Whether or not discussions should continue depends on:
The importance of the issue relative to others on the agenda, given the time available;
Whether those with differing viewpoints feel satisfied that others have understood those views, regardless of having reached agreement; and
How strongly people feel about the issue

9. Composition SGT Members
50% SDEA members
35% Parents/community members
15% Other (e.g. CSEA representative and one student at the secondary level)
Principal (or designee)
Groups must democratically elect their representatives (except for Principal)
Typically serve two-year terms

10. Questions?
Contact Labor Relations for more information about SGTs and/or to schedule training for your site
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