2014-KC COOMBS MIDDLE SCHOOL COUCIL

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PART THREES SUGGESTED PRACTICES IN IMPLEMENTING SCHOOL COUNCILS A. Membership 31 . If there is no parent-teacher organisation, what are some other ways of ensuring representativeness in the election of parent members on the council? Developing a process to elect parents to the council in schools that do not have a formal parent-teacher organization can pose a special challenge. In these situations, schools can use the following strategies: J e Request existing parents' groups, e.g. , Chapter I Parents Advisory Committees, Bilingual Parents Advisory Committees, and sports and booster clubs, to nominate candidates from among their members; coordinate a run-off election from- among these candidates. e Hold elections at the conclusion or beginning of cultural assembly programs, school plays, open-house nights, or other AM educational or social events that bring parents into the VW school . e Hold "at-large" elections from among the parent body by soliciting nominations through direct mail and school and community newspapers. Request that parents nominate themselves or others for membership on the. council . This approach has been highly successful in generating volunteers_ In some schools, a mail ballot run-off election has been necessary as there have been more volunteers than seats on the councils. e Invite all parents to a evening informational meeting at which the school council is explained and parent council members are elected. e Announce that elections will be held in conjunction with a forum, possibly with a respected guest speaker, on an issue of .p current concern to parents. Elect parent members at the conclusion of the forum. 33. Should council members serve for fixed terms? The law indicates that the principal "shall have the responsibility for defining the composition of and forming the group pursuant to,. a representative process approved by the superintendent and the school committee. " 12