School Governance
The Board has a policy F20.00 (last revised April 1996) around school governance. It speaks of "school governance structures such as, but not limited to, local site councils, leadership teams and/or school management teams."
I have also heard from parents that parents are not always included on Building Leadership Teams (BLTs). There are also Site Councils which can include parents and students as well as staff. The BLTs are much more building governance and Site Council is more about planning and goals.
But one key item that generally happens if your school does has a Site Council is that they have some degree of input in any principal search.
I'd be interested if readers could let me know what the structure is at their school. I'd also be interested in readers who ask their principals about Site Council and/or BLT.
My experience is that this "school governance" that includes parents is very hit or miss and is largely dependent on the principal.
I have also heard from parents that parents are not always included on Building Leadership Teams (BLTs). There are also Site Councils which can include parents and students as well as staff. The BLTs are much more building governance and Site Council is more about planning and goals.
But one key item that generally happens if your school does has a Site Council is that they have some degree of input in any principal search.
I'd be interested if readers could let me know what the structure is at their school. I'd also be interested in readers who ask their principals about Site Council and/or BLT.
My experience is that this "school governance" that includes parents is very hit or miss and is largely dependent on the principal.
Comments
We have had a terrible to time finding anyone to commit to the BLT.
I wonder if other schools have the same problem.
From the outside, it might look like a principal problem, but maybe there are not parents willing to serve.
Take a look at the CSIP for your school. Is it up to date? Does it accurately describe your school?
A Continuous School Improvement Plan should be updated and used.
If you select your school "profile" from the list of schools, at the bottom of the profile page there is a link to CSIP.
-- Dan Dempsey
-Sillyexpectationthat Websiteisuseful
- Steve
Cat Howell
I served as the parent/PTA rep on the BLT for 2 years at my sons' former elementary school, and I voted on all recommendations made by the BLT. At our school, the BLT would usually make their recommendations (on budget, etc...), and then these recommendations would go to staff for a vote.
At our school, the BLT rep was also a PTA Board member and would give a BLT report at the board meetings.
It is a difficult volunteer gig for a lot of parents, because it means committing to monthly BLT meetings, usually before or after school, and possibly additional meetings during budget season, as well as committing to PTA Board meetings.
-North-end Mom
In our situation, people who speak up hurt themselves in the long run. The principal runs the building.
On its face, our school looks well run. Underneath you have more veteran teachers quietly spiteful at having no voice and newer teachers groomed to follow the principal. I don't know what you do about that. Maybe that's a good thing. One leader for the school.
There may be cracks in the surface however. One item finally has staff rallied. But we'll see if it leads anywhere.
We do not have a site council.
Always politics
Is your school Salmon Bay by chance?
-sounds familiar
I think its a good model of BLT organization, if you have enough involved parents to maintain staff/parent parity.
SCs rock
Read the policy again, linked in Melissa's original post
Your BLT bylaws are not enforceable. Board policy is not enforceable. Superintendent procedures are not enforceable. An MOU is.
-Former BLTer