1. 2.54 School/Department Committees
September RA 2017

2. Elgin Agreement 2017 The Committee 2.54.1 Composition
a majority of all the teachers and the building/program administration may mutually agree to vary the size and composition of the school/department committee
The committee shall discuss with the administration items which will include but not be limited TO:
Composition
Scope of Activity
Functioning

3. Comp0sition
Remember the language calls for an election. The election is run by the ETA.
Timing? Spring vs fall
At 1st meeting, the committee elects a chairperson and a secretary – it is essential to have a teacher for both positions
Sub committees may be formed to address issues with a broader perspective
There should be representation of tenure and pre-tenure staff on the committee

4. Scope of activity
For District funds – committee participates in joint determination (consensus). All other funds, the committee has the right to review and discuss
Supervision duties are assigned each year according to a plan jointly determined by the school department/committee and the building administration.
Student discipline policies are jointly determined and the committee should ensure that enforcement of the student discipline is consistent with policies
Appendix f (elementary extra duties) - school department/committee shall determine the allocation of elementary extra curricular program funds including the categorical stipends
High school competing clubs - school department/committee shall determine the allocation of funds to participating programs
SIP – monitor the school improvement plan, planning of DCD site days, planning and joint determination of the Staff meeting agenda, SIP is responsible for reporting to their constituent staff, survey the staff to determine the use of the January DCD (insitute or p/t conferences)
All decisions are made through the consensus process.

5. functioning
Meet the week before the staff meeting. More frequently if necessary.
How to solicit agenda items
Have forms available anytime in a central location
A “suggestions for agenda” note, specific form, or survey is put in mailboxes a week prior to the school department/committee meeting.
School department/committee members solicit agenda items from the members, with agenda reflecting all items submitted.
The chair compiles the agenda and seeks out more information if needed
Agenda is given to committee members and staff prior to the meeting.
Minutes will be distributed to members within two days per agreement
A log of all minutes and action items with decision outcomes should be kept
Decisions should be arrived at by consensus

6. Consensus: everyone agrees they can live with the final proposal; that is, after every effort has been made to meet any outstanding interests.
The five steps to reaching consensus are:
Gather information and ideas.
Protect individual viewpoints/promote positive intent and mutual respect.
Base decision on objective information as much as possible.
Blend and integrate ideas to arrive at a decision that everyone can support.
Measure the final outcome by how well it meets the team’s (not individuals’) interests.

7. Tips for the process
Avoid using the majority rule, averages, or coin flips. These quick decisions are not representative of consensus.
Avoid rushing to agreement before everyone has had a chance to express opinions.
Encourage honest expression of opinions, even if they conflict with the prevailing discussion.
Move from “either/or” choices to “and/but” options.
Guard against groupthink

8. Additional References
6.6 ACCESS TO BUILDINGS AFTER HOURS
6.11 ADEQUATE HOUSING FOR TEACHERS
7.1 TEACHING EQUIPMENT/TEXTS/MATERIALS
8.1 EXCESSIVE TEACHING LOADS /CASELOADS
8.2 CLASS LOADS
15.22 Parent Conferences
Appendix F