Mililani Uka Elementary School

School Community Council (SCC) Member Orientation

December 5, 2005

I.  Background/Source Source Documents

     A.  Act 51

     B.  DOE School Community Council Handbook

II.  Purpose of SCC’s

1. Act 51

1.  Part V, Section 19

a.   Improving education outcomes & community confidence thru enhanced   community involvement.

b.   Providing a mechanism for community, parents and other stakeholders to have an increased voice in school affairs, with clear and concrete enunciation of powers and responsibilities, and how these are shared with those of the principal.  

2.  Section 302A-1124

      a.   (a)(1) Review and evaluate the school’s academic and financial plan, and either recommend revisions of the plans to the principal or recommend approval by the CAS.

      b.   (a)(2) Ensure the academic & financial plans are aligned with the educational accountability system under Section 302A-1004 

      c.   (a)(3) Participate in principal selection and evaluation

      d.   (a)(4) Provide collaborative opportunities for input and consultation

      e.   (e) Unless otherwise specified, establish policies governing the council’s composition, election, staggered terms of office for members, within specified parameters listed in the Act.

      f.    (g) Appeal the decision of the principal to the CAS for resolution, and if necessary, to the Superintendent and then the BOE.  [In those cases where the principal sets aside a decision of the SCC.] 

3.  Section 302A-1103  Principal; authority and responsibility

      a.   (2) Develop and present to the SCC for its review and approval, academic and financial plans relating to the school.

B.  DOE SCC Handbook

      1.  Pages 3/4: 

            a.   For exchanging ideas, through open discussions and problem solving regarding how to improve student achievement.

            b.   A major part of the overall leadership structure at each school

            c.   Must keep attention on student achievement by focusing work on development, support and monitoring of the academic and financial plans.

2.  Page 9:  Roles and Responsibilities

      a.   Not a governing board

      b.   Does not hire and fire the principal

      c.   Does not control school finances

      d.   Does not evaluate teachers or other staff

      e.   Not a forum for promoting personal agendas

      f.   Not a body whose members “represent” constituents

      g.   Provides opportunity for input to the academic and financial plans as well as recommendations for revisions

      h.   Determine the degree of community support and/or garner support for major initiatives

       i.   Review and analyze school data and strategies (curriculum, assessment and instructional) stated in the academic and financial plans and provide recommendations to the principal.

3.  Page 10:  Approval Process and Decision Making

      a.   SCC will be involved in making decisions regarding school improvement with a focus on increasing student achievement.  Decision making will include approving or not approving issues brought before the SCC.

      b.   There are several levels of approval:  SCC, principal, SAC, Superintendent, BOE.  Each level may approve or not approve an action or issue, but authority for final approval of the decision is made by those held directly accountable.

      c.   The principal is designated by state statute to develop the academic and financial plans.  The SCC may recommend changes while the principal has the final authority to determine the content of the academic and financial plans.  He or she is responsible for providing the SCC rationale for not incorporating into the plan any of the SCC’s recommendations. 

 4.  Page 82:  SCC Roles and Responsibilities in Act 51/221 Matrix

      a.  Restates Section 302A-1124(a)(1)

III.  Elections.  Page 11.  Nominations committee should consider:

        A.  Were qualified candidates encouraged to run?

  B.  Does the process promote diversity in representation?

IV.   Issues Related to SCC Meetings.  Page 49

A.     How could SCC reach and involve parents, including underrepresented groups?

B.     How could SCC hold discussions and make decisions so that everyone feels his/her voice has been heard?

C.     How could the SCC get input from and “get the word out” to the larger school community?

V.     Decision Making Guidelines:  Page 60

         A.  Create a critical study process to support decisions with data and research.

         B.  Guard against “group think”

         C.  Collective Bargaining decision making issues require compliance with the process specified in the negotiated contracts.