Policy BDFA: School Councils

1. OVERALL PURPOSE OF SCHOOL COUNCILS

The Council improves student outcomes by uniting, in responsible participation, those closest to the teaching-learning relationship.  Through the development of shared vision and planning, the Council creates a school environment which unites all members of the school community in a sense of belonging, commitment, and growth.   
 

2. ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Councils assist principals by reviewing the school building budget and developing the school improvement plan.  Councils may also take on other responsibilities as granted by the local school committee.  Councils' school improvement plans are submitted to the local school committee for review and approval.

3. MEMBERSHIP

Each principal may define the size and composition of the council, subject to the approval of the Superintendent and School Committee of a representative process for selection.  The following conditions must be met:

a. The Council shall include the principal, teachers, parents, other community members and, for the high school, at least one student representative.  Parent, teacher, and student members are to be elected by their peers.
b. The number of parent representatives must be equal to the number of teachers who serve on the Council plus the principal.
c. Not more than 50% of the council shall be made up of members who are not parents, teachers, students, or staff at the school.
d. The council should be broadly representative of the racial and ethnic diversity of the school building and community.
e. The principal and another member elected by the council from its membership will co-chair the council.

4. COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITIES

The council assists principals in:

a. Adoption of educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards.
b. Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school.
c. Review of the annual school building budget proposal.
d. Formulation of a school improvement plan.
e. High School Council will review student handbook each spring to consider changes in disciplinary policy to take effect the following school year.

5. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS

The School Committee will annually review and approve the School Improvement Plan for each school. School Improvement Plans must include:

a. An assessment of the impact of class size on student performance; of student to teacher ratios; and of student to other supportive adult resources.
b. A scheduled plan for reducing class size, if deemed necessary.
c. Professional development for the school's staff and the allocation of any professional development funds in the school budget.  The plan must address the need for teachers' professional development on second language acquisition and on working with culturally and linguistically diverse student populations.
d. Enhancement of parental involvement in the life of the school.
e. School safety and discipline.
f. Establishment of a school environment characterized by tolerance and respect for all groups.  (LOCAL REQUIREMENT:  Each school improvement plan must include at least one objective that addresses the BAMSS goals.) 
g. Extra-curricular activities.
h. Means for meeting within the regular education programs at the school, the diverse learning needs of as many children as possible, including children with special needs currently assigned to separate programs.
i. Any further subjects the principal, in consultation with the school council, shall consider appropriate.