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What are School Community Councils (SCC's)? - The “Reinventing Education Act for the Children of Hawaii” was passed by the Hawaii Legislature in 2004. It requires each school to have a School Community Council.
- The School Community Council (SCC) replaced the School Community Based Management (SCBM) Council in June, 2005. It is an “advisory” Council made up of a group of people elected by their peers who represent teachers, parents, students, school staff, and community members who will share in decision-making. The primary role of the SCC is to review and evaluate the school's academic and financial plan to ensure that all students' needs are met.
- The Council's responsibility at Kealakehe High embraces the role of a trustee of the school's vision and mission.
Who serves on the SCC? - An equal number of community “stakeholders” and school staff:
- At least one parent, teacher, staff person and community member (each elected by their peers except community members are elected by parents)
- A student representative selected by the Student Council
- The school principal
- Each school is required to have a Strategic Plan (known previously as the SID or Standards Implementation Design) supported by an Academic and Financial Plan with the main goal of improving student academic performance. The purpose of this Strategic Plan is:
- Improve students' academic performance and to meet Annual Yearly Progress measures (AYP);
- Highlight the goals for the school and the programs and funds that the school needs to reach these goals.
How is the Academic and Financial Plan developed and what is the Council's role? - The school reviews school data.
- The school identifies weaknesses and strengths to establish goals.
- The school establishes a budget to support its Strategic Plan
- The Strategic Plan and the Academic and Financial Plan are presented to SCC.
- SCC reviews with the goal of approving the Academic and Financial Plan (which may include recommendations to the Principal).
What are the roles and responsibilities of the Council? - Focus on student achievement:
- Students will be able to read, write and have math, science, and social studies skills at grade level or above.
- Review and recommend approval of the Strategic Plan and the Academic and Financial Plan (see previous section).
Does the Academic and Financial Plan align with the school's Strategic Plan?
- Provide opportunities for discussions on school improvement.
- Participate in the selection and evaluation process of Principal.
- Request waivers (relating to policies such as rules, procedures, etc.) to Board of Education.
- Develop and revise school policies. (Example: Dress code, attendance, discipline)
Why is the Council made up of different groups of people? - Shared decision making has been proven to be most effective.
- Schools will have more support when everyone understands and helps to make the decisions;
- Children are more successful when families and communities participate in different ways, including decision making. Research shows successful schools have more parent and community involvement;
- People closest to the children have a special perspective and should have a say in what affects their children's education.
The School Community Council IS NOT : - A governing board
- Does not hire and fire the Principal
- Does not control school finances
- Does not evaluate teachers or other staff
- A forum for promoting personal agendas
- A body whose members “represent” constituencies
What if a parent does not want to be on the Council but is interested in the school? - All parents can be involved, whether they are on the Council or not.
- Parents can attend meetings to give input;
- Parents can nominate or recruit SCC candidates;
- If parents cannot attend meetings, they should write concerns/questions and give to another parent to bring up or talk to the Principal;
- Sharing may also be a concern of another parent, so parents are encouraged to express issues/concerns.
THE COUNCIL MEETS MONTHLY ON THE 3rd THURSDAY. FOR MEETING TIME AND LOCATION, CONTACT THE PARENT-COMMUNITY CENTER (327-4300, x. 2432).
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