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SCHOOL AND DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEES

The goal of the Board of School Directors to institute an advisory program will allow the schools’ communities to help review and define quality education and to review the measures of the success or failure of the local educational system. It provides another opportunity for the Board to reach out to the communities and another opportunity for the communities to provide input and feedback on the educational system. The school advisory program will be designed to strengthen and improve each local school through team recommendations, and the district advisory program will strengthen and improve the district through recommendations to the district for overall improvements. An effective program will focus on asking the right questions and reporting the recommendations to the right audiences.

School Advisory Committee

A. Goals

a. Review objectives to measure the effectiveness of educational programs offered by MSAD 71

b. Review school’s goals for the school year

c. Review assessment methods for goals and objectives

B. Specific Responsibilities

a. By September 1 of each year, review high but achievable goals and objectives for improvement of education in its school; and review plans to improve educational achievement in the school. At the high school, also review methods of maximizing graduation rates and increasing rates of students going on to post secondary education.

b. Review data for evaluating programs

c. Review the educational performance of school

d. Assist with aligning budget with goals of school and district (prioritize expenditures)

e. Review means for determining whether decisions affecting educational processes are advancing or impeding student achievement

f. Review safety issues

g. Review social issues

C. Procedures:

a. The Board of School Directors appoints School Advisory Committee members; applications will be available on line, at each school office and also at District Office. The Principals and Superintendent will review applications and make recommendations for committee membership to the Board of School Directors.

b. School Advisory Committees will make recommendations to the principal, the Superintendent and the Board

c. Membership of each school committee consists of the building principal, at least one teacher representative, at least one staff representative, at least two parents (non-staff members), and at least one other community member: the committee membership will be evenly divided between paid staff and community volunteers. The chair of the committee shall not be an employee of the District. The chair works closely with the principal.

d. The School Advisory Committee shall meet at least quarterly during the year. Regular meetings shall be scheduled one month in advance and notice of meetings posted as specifically required by Policy. Meetings shall be conducted only when a balanced membership is present (equal representation of paid staff and community volunteers). Special meetings may be convened by the committee chairman, or at the request of the principal or Superintendent or the Chair of the School Board, upon 24 hours notice to the committee. All meetings are open to the public, unless convened in Executive Session.

a. To report on the state of the district in an annual report sent to the communities each year.

b. To network with the school advisory committees on a quarterly basis to share ideas, information, goals, etc.

a. Review and make recommendations regarding the District Accountability Report that includes the following:

iii. Conduct and disciplinary actions taken during the school year, including the number and percentage of students suspended and/or expelled

iv. At the secondary level, the number and percentage of the school’s total student population completing “advanced” courses, taking college aptitude examinations and their scores, and graduates entering post-secondary education.

v. Community satisfaction with student achievement and the learning environment based on school advisory committee surveys

viii. Any other information that helps provide parents and community members with a comprehensive view of the school’s challenges and achievement

b. The report shall be provided to the parents/guardians of students in the school, to local media and others interested in the schools, and to members of the public who request it.

a. The District Advisory Committee will be consist of the superintendent, the Chair of the Board of School Directors, the Vice Chair of the Board of School Directors, and two members from each School Advisory Committee; one member from each school committee shall be the Chair of the School Advisory Committee and the other shall be a non-administrative staff member.

b. The District Advisory Committee shall meet at least quarterly during the year. Regular meetings shall be scheduled one month in advance and notice of meetings posted as specifically required by Policy. Special meetings may be convened by the committee chairman, or at the request of the Superintendent or the Chair of the School Board, upon 24 hours notice to the committee. All meetings are open to the public, unless convened in Executive Session.