Background and Purpose
School Councils Regulation Section 12(1) of the School Councils Regulation under the Education Act requires school boards to provide school councils with the opportunity to provide advice on the development of the school's foundational statements (vision, mission, and beliefs); education plan; annual results report; and budget.
Section 12(2) requires school councils to receive the results for the school from provincial assessments and an interpretation of those results as well as the information that the board disseminates through its reporting and accountability system per Section 67 of the Education Act.
School councils can enhance student learning by engaging parents, staff and community members to inform the principal and the board on matters and decisions concerning school improvement planning. The Division views each school council as a means for parents and community members to work together with the school to support and enhance student learning.
Procedures
School councils will be formed in each Division school.
Members of school council will meet the responsibilities set out in the Education Act and the School Council Regulations.
2.1 Section 32. Parent Responsibilities
2.2 Section 41. School Dispute Resolution
2.3 Section 55. School Council
School councils are encouraged to develop operating procedures or bylaws as outlined in the Alberta School Council Resource Manual.
School councils may advise and consult with principals on matters specified by School Councils Regulation.
School principals will include the budget, Three Year School Education Plan, and Annual Education Results Reports as discussion items on School Council Agendas (see AP 300).
5.1 School council chairs will sign the school's Three Year Education Plan and Annual Education Results Report acknowledging school council involvement, input and reception of information.
School council chairs and vice-chairs are invited to participate in the Division Council of Councils meetings (See AP 303).
School councils, in collaboration with the principal and council chair can request a member of the senior administration team and the ward trustee attend a school council meeting to provide information relevant to Division operations and governance.
School councils are encouraged to contact Alberta School Councils' Association (ASCA) to access resources and possible workshops for effective operations of the school council.
In keeping with the spirit of the purpose of the school councils, agenda items and discussions shall not involve the performance or actions of individual staff or students. School council members will refer parents with specific concerns to the teacher and/or principal.
Each school council chair, in collaboration with the principal, will work together to provide the board, via the associate superintendent of business services, a written report prior to September 30 of each year:
10.1 summarizing the activities of the school council in the previous school year, and
10.2 detailing, the receipt, handling and use of any money by the school council in the previous school year.
If a school council chooses to engage in fundraising, it must follow all applicable regulations and procedures:
11.1 It will establish a separate fundraising society if they plan to raise funds or solicit donations in any manner that would require a gaming license under the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act.
11.2 If the school council chooses to raise funds through non-gaming activities, they will maintain a transparent financial and accounting system consistent with Division expectations and which adheres with the School Councils Regulation.
School councils must adhere to the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).
If necessary, a school council may access dispute resolution processes available through the Superintendent's office. This process includes the following steps:
When a complaint arises, the school council chairperson is requested to meet and speak first with the principal involved to resolve the issue. It is expected that meetings will be:
- in person
- one to one, and
- focused on resolving the matter
Concerns and complaints must be made in a respectful manner, at an appropriate time and place, and should not be:
- in the presence of students;
- during instructional time; or
- in the presence of an employee's co-workers or other school council members.
- If satisfactory resolution to the concern is not achieved, the next step is to request a meeting with an assistant superintendent.
- If the school council chairperson is reluctant to speak first to the principal, the chairperson should contact the superintendent who will direct an assistant superintendent to help to resolve the issue.
2.1 Advice and support will be given to ensure that the concerns of all parties are reviewed in an appropriate manner where the concern is given respectful attention while upholding the integrity of the educational system.
2.2 The chairperson will be informed that the principal will be advised of the chairperson's concern.
When deemed necessary, school councils shall be dissolved in accordance with the procedures in the School Councils Regulation or if the disputes resolution process results in the Board recommending to the Minister of Education that a school council be dissolved.
If a school council cannot be sustained in a school, an advisory committee may be established by the principal upon approval by the superintendent.