PUTTING PARENTS IN PLAY
late breaking news.....LPS applying for patent on the re-invention of the WHEEL
For years now since ED REFORM there has been a body mandated, the SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL, that has rarely been implemented fully and when done so actually seems to work. At leastit seems to at FORD SCHOOL and I believe things are running okay at SHOEMAKER which has a compliant one according to LIL' LORI'S looking.
So instead of following laws we don't like we invent new ones to perpetuate political pats on the posterior. How can WE LEAVE A CHILD BEHIND while we RACE TO THE TOP? Now new positions are created while we spin those reinvented wheels. As soon as the money runs out we will be left with a few people on new places, a few less empty offices and more money taken away from the kids.
Shoemaker, like most of the schools, actually is not in full compliance when it comes to their school council. They do hold meetings and keep minutes, but they violate the open meeting law requirements by not filing a notice with the city clerk's office at least 48 hours in advance. Also, I do not know if they are following other requirements, such as who can and cannot be a member and if parents have parity. Again, most of the schools are not in full compliance when it comes to school councils, but this will hopefully change come the Fall.
ReplyDeleteI just discovered that the topic of school councils is actually addressed in the Lynn School Committee Manual, which can be found online. Therefore, not only should our school committee members be educated about the school councils because it is a state law, they should be educated about them because they are in the manual (which most of the members clearly have never read) The information can be found on pages 29 and 32 under BA of Section B: Governance. It specifically states the following on page 32:
ReplyDeleteCONDUCT OF SCHOOL COUNCIL BUSINESS
The Principal shall, by law, serve as co-chair of the council. The second co-chair will be elected annually by the council members at its first meeting of the school year subsequent to the elections of new council members. The co-chairs will be responsible for the preparation of the agenda for the council meetings.
The school council shall meet at least once monthly during the school year. Meetings will be held outside of school hours. At its first meeting of the school year, the council will set its calendar of regular meetings for the year. Where circumstances warrant, the council may choose to call additional meetings.
Consensus shall be used by school councils as the primary method to resolve issues and to formulate recommendations. Votes by majority may be taken at the discretion of the Principal and Roberts Rules of Order shall prevail if there are questions of procedure.
All meetings of the school council shall conform to the Open Meeting Law, Section 23 A, B, and C, which stipulate that all meetings be open to the public, that meetings be posted at least 48 hours in advance, and that minutes of the meeting shall be maintained as required. The scope of the school council does not require, and therefore does not qualify for, executive session.
The Superintendent shall receive agendas and minutes of all school council meetings. The Superintendent shall provide copies of these materials to members of the School Committee for information.