Color Landscape

1
An Introduction
SITE COUNCIL
September 14, 2009
2
The Concept Behind the Site Council

• The Goal Continuous improvement through
  collaborative decision-making
• Accountability at the school level
• Give the staff whatever resources possible to
  reach the best possible decisions
• Solutions must fit each unique school
• Participants have a stake in the outcomes
• Diversity of stakeholders is represented
• On-going process of review and recommendation
• In Minnesota this is termed
• Site Based Improvement (SBI)

Site Based Improvement
3
Site Based Improvement

• The ultimate goal of SBI is to improve education
  by transferring some decision-making authority
  from centralized offices to individual schools
• schools are communities where people actively
  participate in major decisions that affect them
• allows competent individuals in the schools to
  make decisions that will improve learning
• gives the entire school community a voice in key
  decisions
• focuses accountability for decisions
• leads to greater creativity in the design of
  programs
• redirects resources to support the goals in each
  school
• leads to realistic budgeting as parents and staff
  become more aware of the school's financial
  status and limitations, and the cost of its
  programs
• can improve morale and nurture new leadership at
  all levels
• Cited by the American Association of School
  Administrators (AASA), the National Association
  of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), the
  National Association of Secondary School
  Principals (NASSP)

Goals
4
SBI in Action The Site Council

• The Site Council is a team of teachers, staff,
  parents/family members and others from the school
  community who work together to achieve SBI goals.
• The Site Council in collaboration with school
  administration may deliberate and vote to make
  decisions or recommendations that
• shape and support the school's mission
• help develop the school improvement plan
• address/change curriculum, grade structure, and
  other policies
• drive school change and develop conditions for
  success
• help plan and prioritize the school budget
• address issues or problems as they arise or are
  brought to attention by parents, other community
  members
• In all cases, School Board policies must be
  followed

Site Council
5
Crosswinds Site Council

• Has met monthly since the 2002-2003 school year
• Helped gain approval for 9th and 10th grade
  expansion
• Receives reports from school administration,
  committees
• Reviews/advises on numerous issues policies
  these have included things such as
• School calendar
• School grade structure and House organization
• Standardized test results
• Curriculum integration
• Becoming an International Baccalaureate Program
  school
• Revision of the school name to better reflect
  student ages
• School snack/lunch choices
• Fundraisers
• Annual Fair/Community Event

Activities
4
6
Crosswinds Site Council

• The Crosswinds Site Council is always seeking
  participants and active members
• Hope to broaden involvement
• Generally meet every first Monday of a month,
  unless the school is closed due to a holiday
• Transportation arrangements can be made so that
  members are able to attend
• Children can attend if they can keep themselves
  occupied a DVD/VDR player is available
• Snacks are always provided by a member of the
  Site Council
• Contact Anne Anderson, Principal, to answer any
  questions at
• Anne.Andersen_at_emid6067.net
• Please come see for yourself at our next meeting.
• Attend as a guest come back as a member!

The Future
7
Crosswinds Site Council

• From our By-Laws
• The Site Council shall function as the keepers
  of the Crosswinds School mission and vision, by
  providing oversight and assuring accountability
  on four levels
• Student Achievement To insure that all
  education programming aligns with and supports
  the school mission by offering students a diverse
  array of educational choices and vehicles for
  student achievement, and at the same time, allow
  students to develop their unique educational
  passions, talents, interests and gifts
• Parent Involvement To develop a broad, diverse
  base of parent support and foster an environment
  in which parents can voice their concerns and
  contribute their skills, talents and interests
  that support student achievement
• School Policy To make strong contributions and
  recommendations in discussion about a variety of
  school policies, (e.g., discipline policy,
  interdisciplinary policy, multi-age policy, grade
  structure, etc.)
• School Advocacy To promote the Crosswinds
  School educational model in the broader community
  along several lines for potential students and
  families who may select to enter the school to
  further governmental/ political awareness and
  support and to assist in identification and
  implementation of fund-raising ideas

Vision
8
The Law Supported by Statute

• Site-based decision-making through the Site
  Council is supported by Minnesota Statute,
  chapter 123B.04 (latest revision 2008)
• https//www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/statutes/?id
  123B.04
• Empowers site-based teams through a process of
  formal agreement with the School Board regarding
  responsibilities and authority
• Make-up/membership
• Authority guidelines
• At Crosswinds, the Site Council is constituted
  such that it will be able to proceed into the
  formal agreement step, if it decides to do so

Formal vs. Informal