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LAKE COUNTY SCHOOLSSCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCILTRAINING2014-2015Agenda, Part 1What is a School Advisory Council?Sunshine Law and School Advisory CouncilsSAC Membership Requirements and ElectionsBylawsMeeting RequirementsSAC Member and Officer RolesSAC Meeting MinutesSchool Improvement Funds and ExpendituresRequirements for Five Star School AwardCollaborative PartneringShared Decision-Making

Agenda, Part IIHow to write meaningful School Improvement Plans (SIPs)Linking the plan to State Goals and Priorities and the School Board PrioritiesGoalsNeeds AssessmentsObjectivesStrategiesPerformance MeasuresBudget BasedAdditional RequirementsSIP Due Dates

Part 1SAC BasicsSchool Advisory Councils areA group intended to represent the broad school community and those persons closest to the students who will share responsibility for guiding the school toward continuous improvement.Referred to as SACsRequired by all schools, including charter schoolsCharter schools may use their governing body (Charter Board) as their SACSACs are similar to School BoardsCreated and governed by lawElected by peersSubject to the Sunshine LawAssist leaders (principal, superintendent) with school district directionHave the goal of increasing student achievement for all students in a safe learning environment

Sunshine LawAll SAC Business must be in the sunshine!All meetings must be publicly noticed and open to the publicMinutes must be recordedMembers may not communicate with one another about SAC business outside of a publicly noticed meetingCommunication includes email, phone calls, conversations and other modes of communicationRole of the SACAssists in preparation and evaluation of SIPDecides jointly with school faculty how A+ recognition funds are spentAssists principal with the school budgetPerforms functions as prescribed by school boardMonitors the SIPSAC MembersComprised of principal, appropriate balanced number of teachers, staff, parents, community members, and students (Assistant Principals may not be voting members and should NOT be listed as members)Must represent ethnic, racial, economic communityDocument student demographics for specific day for membership compliance (this information is provided by the district each year)Free and reduced lunch percentages determines low-socio-economic make-upStudent race/ethnicity percentages must be represented by SAC (within approximately 5%)Majority of members (over 51%) must NOT be employed by the Lake County School Board in any capacityElected by peer groupsSAC Member ElectionsTeachers elect teachersClassified employees elect classified employeesStudents elect students (middle and high)Parents elect parentsBusiness and community members are recommended by the Principal and approved by a vote of the SACVoting Procedures for Elections Voting to elect SAC members can occur during meetings (faculty meetings, staff meetings, open house, parent nights) or by mail, ballot, or by show of hands.Ballots are counted, recorded, and retained.Ballots and voting records should be kept on file in the schoolVoting records are recorded in the official SAC minutesElections must be fair and open and may be written, signed, or computerized ballots as long as the ballots are recorded officially for auditing purposes.A SAC may Elect alternates if SAC bylaws include this optionAlternates provides for timely replacement of members

Other Possible Duties of SACInput for adoption of school calendarInput into Districts Legislative ProgramDevelop Waivers for School Improvement PlansSchool uniform waivers, modification of teacher planning times, electronic devices, etc.Monitor school safetyAssist in stakeholder surveysServes as liaisons to communityServe on special committees, school improvement teams, accreditation teamsSAC Bylaws containName of councilPurposes, basic policies, governanceDuties and obligationsSchool Improvement funds (if available)Expenditure of A+ Funds (if available)Development of School Improvement Plan (SIP)Assist with Schools Annual Budget

SAC Bylaws contain, cont.Membership and election informationElection proceduresAppointment proceduresRequired to represent demographics of school/communityAt least 51% must be non-Lake County Schools employeesMeeting attendance requirementsSAC Bylaws contain, cont.Decisions/MeetingsThree business-day advance notice required for all members regarding meeting that will include a vote on an agenda itemSunshine Law requirementsSpecial or Ad Hoc CommitteesQuorum > 51%SAC Bylaws, cont.Officers and Election ProceduresPositions, duties, procedures for elections and term of office for each positionNominating committee (if necessary)Duties, meetings, quorum of executive boardEmergency decision procedures

Process to develop amendments or revisions to bylaws

School Advisory CouncilsSAC Meeting RequirementsAt least 3 days written notice to SAC members regarding matters that require a voteRequires a quorum of at least 51%Schedule meetings when stakeholders can attendMinutes must be recordedEffective Meetings - SuggestionsIntroductions/WelcomeSnacks and drinksName tagsLimit education terminology/acronymsTeamworkEach member generates more/new ideasMembers feel valuedGoal Student achievementShare training presentationWhat to avoidTreat members as rubber stampNot communicating meeting times, etc.Use of educational jargonNo vote, no action, nothing happensAvoid ineffective communicationThis is the way we have always done it.Why change?Great idea, wont work.SAC Chair and Co-ChairKnowledgeable duties and responsibilitiesCreate agendaPrepare for meetingsFacilitate meetingsMaintain focus, order, and involvementWhile any member can be elected to serve as Chair or Co-Chair, it is recommended that neither the Principal nor a student serve in this capacity.PrincipalRequired by Florida Statute to be a SAC memberRepresents school administrationAssesses school data, surveysFacilitates SAC recommendationsImplements SIPEnsures compliance with required reportsFacilitates SAC elections and appointmentsKeeps SAC informedEncourages participation, problem solving, teamworkAdditional Suggested SAC OfficersTreasurerMaintains records of funds if availableSecretaryLetters and other correspondenceRecords minutesParliamentarianTime keeper, monitors Roberts Rules of OrderSecretary Detailed dutiesDetermines quorumWrites and records minutesDistributes minutesMaintains records of minutesMaintains records of attendanceDuties at the meetingsProvides or reads the minutes from prior meetingTakes accurate minutes of current meetingDuties after the meetingPromptly writes minutesDispatches correspondenceDistributes minutes for next meeting and agenda prepNotifies members of elections, appointments, next meetingEmails minutes after each meeting to District Office (Dee Dunbar)as required by state statuteThe Importance of MinutesRequired by Sunshine Law and State StatutesVerifies procedures were followedDocuments attendance and quorumsProvides documentation for publicDocuments decisions

Minutes IncludeType of meetingDate, time, placeAgendaAttendanceQuorumAppointment/replacement of members (if any)Call to orderVote on minutes from prior meetingAny correspondenceMinutes Include, cont.

Motions and VotesMotion and name of person making move Second to motion and name of person making secondAmendments to motion and person(s) who made amendmentsVoting record (who and how voted)Chair must voteNo abstentions unless conflict of interestMust have a quorumElections of officers and approval(s) of business community member appointments by PrincipalMinutes Include, cont.Reports, presentations, programsReport of what is doneTime of adjournmentNext meeting, date, time, placeSignature with typed name and positionMinutes do not includeVerbatim discussionPersonal commentsMotions not stated by the chairEntire reportsSAC Funds and ExpendituresContact Persons:Carol MacLeod, Chief Financial Officermacleodc@lake.k12.fl.us

Karen Briggs, Finance Directorbriggsk@lake.k12.fl.us

352-253-6560Overview of Laws and RulesSection 1001.452(2) Requires SAC to assist in school budget preparationSection 1008.36 School Recognition FundsSchool Recognition Funds -A+ Funds if fundedSchool Recognition funds for maintaining an A or improving by one letter grade (Section 1008.36, F.S.) Amount based on unweighted FTE (per student)Expenditure is jointly decided by SAC and facultyFunds may be spent on nonrecurring bonuses to the faculty and staff, nonrecurring expenditures for educational equipment or materials, or for temporary personnel to assist the school in maintaining or improving student performance (Section 1008.36(5), F.S.). Decision Deadline: February 1 (or date designated by statute) or will be divided among current classroom teachers onlyFund RaisingFundraising by SACs is permitted. Contact the Finance Department for information. SAC Requirements for School to Meet 5 STAR SCHOOL AWARDMinimum of 8 meetings per yearAverage 80% attendance at meetingsAnnual presentation of SIP to communityOngoing training and development of committeeSIP includes new idea that involves the communitySAC participation in needs assessmentTraining for staff and SAC on collaborative partnering and shared decision-makingCollaborative PartneringBe a good listenerListenBefore you speak.

Collaborative Partnering, cont.Be considerate of others.Pay attention to those with different opinions.Ask questions.

Collaborative Partnering, cont.Celebrate Successes

Collaborative Partnering, cont.Express Appreciation

Collaborative Partnering, cont.Build relationships

Shared Decision-MakingBy engaging all members in a genuine shared decision making process, more will arrive at the same destination together, as active and engaged partners, of their own free will, and not as acquiescent or reluctant followers. They will then be more likely to have a sense of ownership over the decisions and be prepared to support them, even when the decisions do not meet every persons hopes and expectations. Consensus What is it?All can embrace an idea?All can endorse an idea?All can live with an idea?No one will sabotage a decision?Majority rules?Consensus is reachedWhen all points of view have been heard and the will of the group is evident even to those who most oppose it.Richard and Rebecca DuFourProfessional Learning Communities Building ConsensusStart smallClearly state procedures, roles, expectations in the beginningInclude all membersListen to all view pointsBe respectfulInclude ideas of the minority group in the final decision

Part 2Writing Meaningful School Improvement PlansSCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANSEach school, including charter and Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) schools, is required to have a school improvement plan per Florida Statute

SIP TemplateAll Lake County Schools use Florida Department of Educations Continuous Improvement Management System (CIMS).Link to DOE School Improvement Plan Site

https://www.flsiponline.com/

MEANINGFUL SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANSFulfill the State Education Goals, Florida Education Priorities, and State LawFulfill the Lake County School Board Vision, Mission, and Strategic PlanBased on the needs of the schoolFocus on improving student achievement and based on student performance dataHave measurable goals, objectives, and outcomesHave clear implementation strategiesProvide feedback to the school, school board, and community

Lake County School Board Focus AreasStudent achievementEfficient and effective operations and performance based budgetingSafe environmentHighly developed and high performing staffTechnological innovationFamily and community involvementLake County SchoolsVisionA dynamic, progressive and collaborative learning community embracing change and diversity where every student will graduate with the skills needed to succeed in postsecondary education and the workplace. Lake County SchoolsMissionThe mission of Lake County Schools is to provide every student with individual opportunities to excel.GoalsGoals answer the question: What is most important on which to focus and accomplish in order to fulfill our Mission, achieve our Vision, and best serve our students and educational community? Needs AssessmentThis provides the current status and is based on data from student testing, discipline data, and stakeholder surveysUtilization of multiple sources of student and school performance dataAnnual stakeholder survey results from various stakeholdersObjectivesObjectives are developed for each goal, and become measurable and quantifiable guidance to short-term planning and allocation of resources. Objectives should be SMARTS - SpecificM - MeasurableA - AchievableR Person responsible should be designated for each goalT Time specificStrategiesThe specific steps, research based programs, and required staff development that will be necessary to implement to achieve the objectives and goals.Performance MeasuresQuantifiable indicators used to measure the progress against a particular objective in terms of workload, efficiency and effectiveness. Performance measures provide the mechanism to evaluate the success of the goals, objectives, and strategies.Performance Based BudgetLinking the goals, objectives, and strategies to the actual cost of implementation allows the school community, board, and stakeholders to evaluate the return on investment of the School Improvement Plan. This answers the following questions:Are we appropriately funding our needs?Is our plan value driven?Are we effective and efficient?Additional Requirements For SIPGoal to address Safe Learning EnvironmentGoal to address BullyingDropout prevention and Academic Intervention Programs must be reflected in SIPDifferentiated Accountability/Targeted School RequirementsSchools primarily serving grades 6-12Address the ten guiding principles for secondary school redesign

School Improvement Plan (SIP) and District Improvement and Assistance Plan (DIAP) Due DatesTaskDue DateDA Schools and District Plans are due to the Regional Executive Director (RED) for review and feedbackSeptember 5, 2014SIP Completed and Submitted for District ReviewSeptember 15, 2014Feedback Provided to SchoolsSeptember 24, 2014District Improvement and Assistance Plan fully entered in CIMSOctober 3, 2014All SIP revisions and corrections made in CIMSNovember 3, 2014Board ApprovalTBDAssistance is AvailableFlorida DOE Continuous Improvement Management System (CIMS):https://www.flsiponline.com/

Lake County Schools Department Evaluation, and AccountabilityKathleen Farner Gingras, Ph.D., DirectorDee Dunbar, Secretary

Dr. Susan Moxley, SuperintendentDr. David Christiansen, Chief Academic Officer

Lake County Schools Websitehttp://lake.k12.fl.us To access School Improvement and SAC Information Select:

Department of Planning, Evaluation and Accountability

or click on:

http://lake.k12.fl.us/page/650

Lake County Schools