I can fax you a copy of the California School Site Councils info. if you want. I am on the site council for my school and the are a few sheets in my notebook which seem to sum it up pretty good.
Let me know if you want to read them. Sorry it is too much to post.
Special to floridamom:
I assure you that I have never 'rubber stamped' anything that I didn't think was 100% on target to better our school, my child, or any child for that matter. I can also tell you that our Principal knows that I am anything but a 'yes-man'. She has plenty of those...lol... She knows my style is more 'get in your face and get it done' than anyone she knows. She also knows that my only objective is to do better things for our children. I'll keep you posted on what goes on. I really hope it isn't what your experience has been.
Special to JHB:
I was home, on-line in the middle of a Saturday night because, of course, I'm "married with children"...lol... The middle of the night is my turn to use the computer! My hubby works swingshift and I let the kids stay up late during the summer so that I can sleep in! And "lol" is 'laughing out loud' for me...lol... I too am enjoying this thing called leisure time. My reading is back up to par (2 or 3 books a week) and I'm getting a tan, something no amount of school lighting can give you...lol..., my correspondence is all caught up, phone calls involve words other than "Hi! This is Elizabeth with Manzanita PTVO and I was wondering if you could...". I'm going to make a lunch date with my one of my best friends tomorrow, either Loreal or Miss Clarol. Doesn't matter which as they both have assured me they can fix this stressed-out-from-being-the-prez-hair-color...lol...
Until the next time,
Elizabeth
Here in Florida, we have a similar group called the School Advisory Committee (SAC). I will be a member next year since I will be PTO prez. I have attended 1 meeting in the past, and a friend has been the "parent" rep. From my observation and conversation with her, it seemed like this group was simply there to rubberstamp whatever the leadership came up with. In other words, I don't know how much real imput/influence it has. I'd love for you to keep us posted on your group's workings!
Great! Glad I could help. It's just amazing how easily one can find things with the Internet now. As I imagine you know, I researched Arizona since your profile indicated that as your state. (Just so the others don't think this was just a really big cosmic coincidence.)
The big question is, even accounting for time zone changes, why were we both on-line in the middle of a Saturday night? At least I've got a good excuse this time. Usually (in the past) it was because that's when I had finished whatever current PTO business needed my attention. Last night was because that was when I had just finished a great murder mystery and decided to check the computer before going to bed. I just love being PAST president. I'm really enjoying this concept of "leisure time"! Good Luck!
Okay, since I've gone off on a tangent anyway... What do you mean by "lol"? Usually I see it as "lots of luck". But others use it as "lots of laughter" or "laughing out lol". I knew one person who used it as "Lord, oh Lord!" Of course, there's no one right answer, but I was curious how you were using it. (Don't stop - I've come to think of it as practically a signature line.)
JHB, As luck would have it, I am in Arizona...lol.
Your post explains it very well. We don't happen to have all that many involved, I think it is the Principal, Asst. Principal, a community member without a child at the school, a parent, a teacher, and one or two more, possibly someone from the D.O. I know that last year we had one request for funds from the Site Council, and I made sure they got what they asked for. I just knew there had to be more to it. And you came through for me! I hope to return the favor sometime soon. Thank You!
From what I read, I thought site councils were more of a campus group, elected in the way PTO officers or such are elected - not quite as formally as public officials.
I think rather than being a governing board like our School Board is, this group serves more in an advisory capacity and helps how "school improvement funds" are spent for their specific school. Perhaps this is particular budget line item for Arizona schools. I don't think we have that (in Texas). I know our schools have an "Activity Account" which is discretionary at the campus level and controlled by the Principal, but I don't think it's exactly the same.
