Parent Group Meetings

Join us and get involved in your child/children's education. Call Robin Landowski, HPPA's Parent Liaison @ 651-293-8970 to find out more.

Each person serving on a council, regardless of position, is committed to serving the school and supporting student achievement. The following list is a place to start for members and leaders alike.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A SITE COUNCIL MEMBER?

• Demonstrate a desire to help school succeed and make a difference in the education of children
• Prepare for and attend monthly meeting
• Work to increase family and community involvement
• Learn about you school/ site
• Share responsibility for creating a collaborative working model and a welcoming environment
• Actively participate in meetings

Once we understand our roles and responsibilities as site council members, we are better equipped to do our best work...together.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A CHAIR/ CO-CHAIR?

• Create a partnership with the principal/ site administrator and co-chair(s)
• Lead you team's growth and development
• Identify and prioritize issues to be discussed at meeting
• Listen to members and serve their needs
• Work with the principal/ administrator and council members to set agendas
• Demonstrate strong organizational and communication skills
• Work closely with district offices (e.g., site-based, shared decisions) to understand the role of site  councils
• Learn about and assist principal in communicating district's long-term goals
• Translate education jargon into real language for all member (avoid edu-babble)
• Obtain and communicate a general knowledge of district's budget and budgeting process
• Facilitate effective meetings
• Help site council achieve consensus on decisions
• Help ensure site council
• Make every member feel welcome and empowered to speak at council meetings

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE PRINCIPAL/ SITE ADMINISTRATOR?

While principals/ site administrators have the final decision-making authority and responsibility, they are enabled to make the best decision by considering the input of their site council members:

• Serve as the final decision-making authority
• Communicate information necessary for site team to make informed decision (e.g., district and school board requirements)
• Serve as spokesperson for school (first responder to questions, concerns, or new ideas regarding the school)
• Facilitate solutions between students, staff, and parents regarding individual or school-wide achievement concerns
• Create and facilitate opportunities for family and community involvement and support
• Lead the development of a school direction and vision
• Manage the school budget
• Work collaboratively, in partnership, with all members of the site council

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A SITE COUNCIL?

 The primary role of a site council is to improve student achievement. Ways to do this may include:

• Help shape, define, and support site vision, mission and goals
• Help shape site procedures
• Provide a forum for issues to be addressed
• Participate in the development and monitoring of the school improvement plan (SCIP)
• Help plan and prioritize the school budget
• Drive school change and develop conditions for academic success for all students
• Have input into the selection of the school principal
• Determine and remove barriers to success for all students

CONTACT INFORMATION

The Leadership Support Team (LST) assists principals, co-chairs and site council members in building leadership capacity. LST services are offered free to district site councils and are provided through the Office of Leadership Development & Site Based Improvement

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT SITE COUNCILS PLEASE CONTACT Office of Leadership Development