1. USBA Regional Training Spring 2015
Leading School Community Councils: Responsibilities of Local School Boards
USBA Regional Training
Spring 2015

2. Board President’s Role
Utah State Code: 53A (9) The president or chair of a local school board or charter school governing board shall ensure that the members of the local school board or charter school governing board are provided with annual training on the requirements of this section. Training must occur before school plans can be approved and the date of training must be provided annually to the USOE

3. Five Key Local Board Responsibilities
Train members of all School Community Councils (SCC)
Read and approve each School Community Council plan or return to SCC for amendment and resubmission
Encourage dialog/sharing among all members of SCC’s and the local board of education
Disperse funds for approved uses
Monitor and celebrate school successes

4. Training SCC Members
Ensure all principals, chairs and co-chairs fully understand SCC requirements of election, voting, participation, leadership, plan production, data mining, and expenditures.
Establish a training program whereby all members of each SCC are fully informed of all applicable laws and State Board rules and methods by which to develop an effective plan.
Encourage and model collaboration toward academic achievement planning and resource allocation

5. Key Components of SCC Plans
School improvement plan
Reading achievement plan (for elementary schools)
Professional development plan
Class size reduction needs
Access routing plan
Ensuring responsible filtering systems and internet use by providing training to parents and students, in partnership with school administration

6. Helping Schools to Develop Effective Plans
Note strengths and weaknesses in the school
Issue a parent/community member survey regarding achievement in the school
Review data about student achievement, teacher quality, assessment practices, curricular patterns, etc., disaggregated for subgroup information
Note trends of success and failure; face the concerns
Read studies and/or visit other schools/districts where similar concerns have been improved

7. What Constitutes Plan Approval?
Did the plan address all areas required in statute?
Were expenditures “academic” under law and State Board rule?
Were expenditures consistent with those outlined in the plan?
Does the plan have specific and measurable goals and projected outcomes?
If a plan is not approved, the local board shall give specific, written feedback for resubmitting an approvable plan.

8. Ensure Plans Are Riveted Around Goals
Is each plan focused on improving academic achievement?
Are funds strategically targeted around the goals in the plan?
Are data being used by each SCC to understand trends, successes and challenges?
Are the resources of time, money, schedule, people all focused around the goals?
Are only evidence-based practices included in the plan? (programs that have a positive track record of improving teaching and learning)

9. Examples of Approved Expenditures
Instructional software and hardware
Study skills classes and after school tutoring
Classroom equipment and materials such as flashcards, math manipulatives, calculators, microscopes, maps, or books
Professional development directly tied to school academic goals
Nominal student incentives that are academic in nature or of marginal total cost

10. Examples of Non-Approved Expenditures
AV systems in non-classroom locations
Auditorium curtains
Sports equipment
Non-academic field trips
Security
Phone costs
Food and drink for council meetings or parent nights
Printing/mailing for notices to parents
Staff bonuses

11. Disperse Funds for Approved Uses
Ensure early access to funds to enable today’s learner
Require a final report from each SCC
Make sure final report matches planned goals and expenditures
Allow no more than 10% carry over funds unless the school submits in writing and the local board approves the “savings” for a larger, significant outlay of funds in the coming year

12. Monitor, Celebrate and Replicate Success
Visit schools and talk with SCC members regularly. Take interest in school data and activities to help students succeed.
Help schools set up student reinforcement programs that celebrate academic success of every type (grades, GPAs, attendance, improvement, rigorous course-taking, state/regional/national recognition, etc.)
Invite SCCs into Board meetings to share updates and successes.
Recognize excellent teachers and staff members who have contributed to the success of the SCC plans.
Establish a district wide process of disseminating and replicating best practices and achievement methods.