School Site Council (SSC) Essentials in brief An overview of SSC roles and responsibilities Prepared and Presented by Wanda Chang Shironaka San Juan Unified School District Adapted from SCUSD State and Federal Programs Wanda Shironaka

Workshop Overview Legislative Intent General function of SSCs SSC Responsibilities SSC Composition Member Roles and Responsibilities SJUSD Requirements SSC Support 2

SSC Legislative Intent Key principles: Education is a joint effort Key stakeholders should have input Use of supplemental resources should focus on increasing student achievement Funds should be used cohesively and according to legislative purpose (Plan) Monitoring of results (data) 3

General Function To serve as the school community’s representative body for determining the focus of the school’s academic instructional program and all related state and federal resources. California Education Code

SSC Responsibility Participate in the development of the Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA), and evaluate the effectiveness of programs by monitoring the use of Title I and other supplemental funding available to the school site. California Education Code

SSC Composition At the elementary level the council shall be constituted to ensure parity between (a) the principal, classroom teachers and other school personnel; and (b) parents or other community members selected by parents. At both the elementary and secondary levels, classroom teachers shall comprise the majority of persons represented under category (a). --California Education Code §

Elementary Composition Parent or community membership is equal to school staff membership. Classroom teachers must be in the majority of the staff side. “Other School Personnel” includes: other administrative positions, other non- classroom teacher positions, and all site classified personnel. Smallest council is composed of 10 members. Middle schools may use the elementary composition. 7

Elementary Council Sizes COUNCIL SIZE PARENTS or COMMUNITY MEMBERS PRINCIPALOTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL CLASSROOM TEACHERS

Secondary Composition Middle and High Schools: – Middle schools may use the elementary composition Parent or community membership is equal to school staff membership. Classroom teachers must be in the majority of the staff side. “Other School Personnel” includes: other administrative positions, other non- classroom teacher positions, and all site classified personnel. Student Members Smallest council is composed of 12 members. 9

Secondary Council Sizes COUNCIL SIZE PARENTS or COMMUNITY MEMBERS Student Members PRINCIPALOTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL CLASSROOM TEACHERS

Member Roles and Responsibilities SSC members should Regularly attend SSC meetings Become knowledgeable about educational issues related to curriculum, instruction and assessment Review meeting and operating procedures Develop annual meeting calendar Represent their constituents in support of increased student achievement 11

Member Roles and Responsibilities The Principal Is an active member of the council Cannot assign her/his SSC responsibilities to a vice principal or other designee Has no administrative authority over the council May not veto a decision or change the approved SPSA without council approval 12

Member Roles and Responsibilities Officers and specific duties should be outlined in SSC bylaws Typically, SSC Officers include – Chairperson – Vice Chairperson – Secretary 13

Member Roles and Responsibilities The Chairperson usually Facilitates SSC meetings Works with principal to establish meeting agendas Provides leadership to SSC members on roles and responsibilities Has signatory responsibilities for official documents 14

Member Roles and Responsibilities The Vice Chairperson usually Facilitates meetings in absence of Chairperson Provides leadership and support to members 15

Member Roles and Responsibilities The Secretary usually Takes meeting notes/minutes Provides leadership and support to members 16

Specific SSC Responsibilities Analyze and evaluate school and student progress and achievement Obtain recommendations from advisory, standing and special committees regarding focus of SPSA Develop and approve SPSA in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations Recommend SPSA for approval by the local governing board 17

Specific SSC Responsibilities Provide ongoing monitoring of implementation of SPSA and related expenditures Revise SPSA as needed Participate in all local, state and federal reviews of school’s program for compliance and quality Evaluate SPSA effectiveness on annual basis 18

Specific SSC Responsibilities Encourage parents, community members, teachers and students, if applicable, to take on leadership roles and participate in SSC activities Carry out other duties assigned to SSC by the governing board, or required by state and/or federal law 19

SSC Scope of Responsibilities SSCs do NOT engage in: School management Supervision of staff Policy making Fundraising 20

SSC Scope of Responsibilities SSCs are NOT: Political organizations Personnel Committees Grievance Committees Extension of the PTAs Social Group 21

Effective SSCs… Focus on increasing student achievement Maintain a high degree of collaboration Provide opportunities for shared leadership Demonstrate good problem solving skills 22

Effective SSCs… Allow members and the public to freely express opinions and points of view Recognize and respect the individuality and creativity of each member Are prepared with materials and good ideas Communicate progress with the school community 23

Effective SSCs… Seek information and input from the school community Encourage the use of good listening skills Utilize procedures to ensure efficient use of meeting time Follow a process to make decisions as well as to resolve disagreements 24

Resolving Disagreements Resolve disagreement at the site level Request clarification from district office staff Request support from district office staff Request (in writing) assistance from the governing board File a Uniform Complaint 25

Public Meeting Guidelines Meeting notice (agenda) must be posted 72 hours in advance, specifying – Date – Time – Place Meetings must be open to the public Public may address the council during public comment, but cannot vote California Education Code

Taking Action SSC may act only on items included on posted agenda – Exception: SSC may add item, by unanimous vote, to agenda for action Questions or requests for clarification do not need to be on posted agenda Violations require reconsideration of item at next meeting after allowing for public comment California Education Code

SJUSD Recommendations for all Schools Annually, each SSC must retain: SSC Roster – Members – Officers – District Advisory Committee (DAC) representative and alternate (Only from Title I Elementary Schools) Meeting Schedule 28

SJUSD Recommendations for all Schools Each school need to retain documentation of: Meeting Agendas Meeting Notes/Minutes Sign-In sheets 29

SSC Support Upon request, Office of Student Learning Assistance staff will provide On-site assistance with – Meeting procedures – SPSA development Site-specific information and guidance about – State and Federal funds – Programs 30

Have SSC Questions? Need Support? Roxanne Mitchell, Director of Student Learning Assistance Wanda Shironaka, Program Manager of Title I Office Student Learning Assistance Office phone:

Additional SSC Resources For Additional Information go to: Type “School Site Council” in the Search box Click Search Select School Site Council. 32