School Advisory Committee Training SY 2015-2016 Humphreys Central Elementary School
Today s Goals Become more knowledgeable about the DoDDS and SAC process Understand the channels of communication for resolving issues Look at the connections between the DoDEA Strategic Plan, school improvement process, and SAC Share successes and failures in an effort to learn from one another
Educational Advisory Committees and Councils DoD Instruction 1342.15 Instruction serves to : establish objectives set forth policies outline responsibilities institute procedures
DoD Policy Encourages committee formation to... foster participation in school affairs provide a coordinated process to address and resolve issues at lowest possible level promote communication and problem solving among school administrators, military leaders and local advisory committees
Responsibilities Every parent, teacher, sponsor, student, DoDDS administrator, and military commander shall share the responsibility to work collectively in supporting the schools, in enhancing programs, and improving not only the delivery of educational programs and support services to DoDDS students, but also the overall quality of life shared by all personnel in the American overseas communities, of which the schools are an integral part.
School Advisory Committee... Advises the school principal on educational matters
What does to advise mean? suggestions and recommendations to the principal and/or installation commander for the improvement of educational programs and general quality of education and school programs are welcomed perceived as essential expected to be acted upon
What are educational matters? School policies affecting students and parents Administrative procedures affecting students Instructional programs and educational resources within the school Allocation of resources within the school to achieve educational goals Pupil services (health, special ed., testing, evaluation) Student standards of conduct and discipline Policies and standards of the dependents education system related to the above
Issues NOT addressed by advisory committees Personnel practices or policies Compensation Grievances of school employees Internal management of DoDDS or DoDDS programs
Advisory committees do not Raise money Grant student scholarships Financially support school events Engage in any monetary projects traditionally associated with PTSA, boosters or other support groups
Composition of the SAC parents of students enrolled in school educators full-time professional employees of school high school student enrolled in school elected by student body, is additional voting member optional Other VIPs Liaison Members PTA Military Association Rep ELECTED MEMBERS Student Principal Booster Club SIT Chair Spouse Club School s Officer
Committee Size of the SAC Student Enrollment = Committee Size 1-150 2 or 4 151-300 4 300-500 6 501-800 8 over 800 10
SAC Leaders Elected Officers: serve two-year terms; half membership elected each year newly elected members must take office NLT October 15 Chairperson Vice Chairperson Secretary Representatives to IAC
Possible Roles... Chairperson To preside over meetings; be the direct link between SAC and principal To coordinate agenda To encourage open and honest discussion To make members feel welcome To set the tone for the meeting To remain neutral while leading discussions during meetings
Possible Roles... Vice Chairperson To support the chairperson in meeting preparations and proceedings To aid the chairperson in staying on schedule To help ensure that everyone participates To make members feel welcome
Possible Roles... Secretary (Recorder/Timekeeper) To publish agenda prior to meetings To record minutes of the meetings
About Committee Member Roles... Additional Committee Members To attend all meetings To actively participate in discussions To frequently seek input from constituents To keep constituents informed To remember they represent school and community groups
About an Agenda Committee... Agenda Committee made up of Chairperson, Principal, vice-chairperson or other designated person (if chair is teacher, vice-chair should be a parent and vice-versa) Meet within 2 weeks of last meeting Approve Minutes to be sure they are accurate Publicize both minutes and agenda
About Holding Committee Meetings... Announcement time, date, location decided by committee members Frequency at least 4 times per year Agenda chairperson prepares proposed agenda and publishes one week in advance Minutes secretary keeps minutes and publishes approved minutes within two weeks
About Committee Procedures... Conduct of Meetings establish bylaws and adopt set of parliamentary rules Goals and Objectives determine goals and objectives for year Subcommittees formulate regular standing or ad hoc committees subcommittees to address specific goals and objectives as needed Communications establish links to ensure all stakeholders are informed
Installation Advisory Committee (IAC) Advises the installation commander on issues within the control and jurisdiction of the commander and applicable component command
What are issues within the control and jurisdiction of the commander?... physical school environment transportation of students school meal programs medical services administrative and logistical support services policies and standards of the installation command
Composition of the IAC One school per installation, members of SAC make up membership of IAC Two or more schools, IAC comprises two reps. from each of the SACs (one parent and one professional school employee)
School s Officer... Serves as the primary avenue of communication between school principal and community commander Attends SAC and IAC meetings and advises community commanders of logistic and administrative support required by SAC and IAC Refers sponsors with problems concerning academics to the school principal Advises the community commander of misconduct by school-age family members
SAC Chain of Command Under Secretary of Defense Personnel and Readiness Assistant Secretary of Defense (Military Community and Family Policy) Advisory Council on Dependents Education (ACDE) Director, DoDEA Director DoDDS Pacific District Superintendent Chain of Command School Advisory Committee School Principal School Advisory Committee SAC
IAC Chain of Command Under Secretary of Defense Personnel and Readiness Dependents Education Council (DEC) Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense *Theater Command (PTEC) Director, DoDEA Component Command Installation Commander Installation Advisory Committee Chain of Command Installation Advisory Council
Community Strategic Plan Goal 1: Student Excellence Challenge each student to maximize his or her potential and to excel academically, socially, emotionally and physically for life, college and career readiness Goal 2: School Excellence Develop and sustain each school to be high-performing within an environment of innovation, collaboration, continuous renewal and caring relationships Goal 3: Talent Excellence Recruit, develop and empower a diverse, high-performing team to maximize achievement for each student. Goal 4: Organizational Excellence Build a great, enduring and responsive organization that provides the appropriate resources, direction and services in pursuit of highest student achievement Goal 5: Outreach Excellence Foster family, school and community partnerships to expand educational opportunities for students Partnerships and Communication
End-of-Year Summary Reports Summaries should: contain goals and objectives identify areas of special interest assess achievements and concerns make recommendations
End-of-Year Summary Reports The reports are now completed online and forwarded. SAC Report and IAC Reports Principal District Superintendent Education Operations Mgr. Area Supt. Installation Commander Reports, signed by chairperson, due to all of the above by 15 June
Model Agenda School Advisory Committee Meeting Thursday, November 3, 2012, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM Building 1, Conference Room Meeting called by........sac Chairperson Type of meeting......... Routine Facilitator.............. Vice Chairperson Recorder/Timekeeper.... Secretary Attendees: Please read.............bylaws Please bring............ Input and recommendations re: Bylaws
Model Agenda Agenda Topics 7:00-7:10 PM Call to Order SAC Chairperson Review of minutes....sac Secretary 7:10-7:20 PM Old Business Bylaws..SAC Vice Chairperson 7:20-7:30 PM New Business Traffic congestion at school..parent 7:30-7:45 PM Reports Principal s Report School s Officer Report Other reports 7:45-8:00 PM Open Forum
Guidelines for Successful Meetings... Establish Procedures plan in advance; allow for agenda items to be thoroughly discussed have a plan for how/when to address non-agenda items which surface during the meeting select rules of order to follow during the meeting set time schedules (ex: maximum 1.5 hours) and date for meetings (ex: first Wednesday each month) and publish in advance
Guidelines for Successful Meetings... Establish Norms Participation desired Nonnegotiable items Role assignments Professionalism Decision-Making procedure Behavior Basic Housekeeping Everyone participates; all ideas are good ideas Start on time and end on time Chairperson presides over the meeting, Vice-Chairperson provides support Secretary takes notes Appropriate information shared with constituents Consensus; Unanimity One person talks at a time; No interruptions, no whispering or sidebar conversations Bathrooms, food & drinks, smoking
Quarterly SAC check point... Is your SAC doing all it can-- and should-- to help improve education in your community? Does your SAC devote most of its time and energy to education and educational outcomes? Does your SAC believe that advocacy for all students is your primary responsibility?