Background and Purpose
A Council of Councils provides an opportunity for the Division's school council membership to meet and share strategies and experiences. Council of Councils enable effective communication among the School Councils, the Board of Trustees, senior administration and the community.
Procedures
The board and superintendent shall support the establishment of a Council of Councils; the prime functions shall be to:
1.1. Provide an opportunity for school councils to share matters of philosophy, policies and procedures relative to education;
1.2. Provide an opportunity to discuss significant matters relating to student learning;
1.3. Advise the board regarding matters of common interest;
1.4. Enhance parental engagement through learning opportunities;
1.5. Share resources and information across School Councils; and
1.6. Develop meaningful connections between School Council Chairs and staff.
Each School Council within the Division shall be a member of Council of Councils.
2.1. Chairs and vice chairs will be invited to attend. In the event one may not be able to attend, a school council can select another member from their executive.
2.2. Trustees and senior administration shall attend on behalf of the Division.
2.2.1. Others may be invited to attend to provide special presentations, information, etc. (ex. school administration, department leader, program coordinator)
The Council of Councils meetings may include the following items:
3.1. Round table sharing of activities, events, etc. each school council;
3.2. A board report;
3.3. A division office report (Three Year Plan, Annual Education Results Report, etc.)
3.4. Learning opportunities for parents;
3.5. Emerging issues;
3.6. Policy and administrative procedure discussion;
3.7. Relevant Alberta Education news;
3.8. Provincial perspective from Alberta School Councils' Association.
The Council of Councils shall meet two times a year, once before the winter break and again before the spring break.
The board chair shall chair the Council of Councils meeting.
5.1. The board vice-chair shall assume the role in the chair's absence.
5.2. Meeting dates, times and locations will be set by the board and communicated to school council chairs by the end of October of each year.
5.3. School council chairs may bring forth an agenda item by providing a summary or background to the board chair two weeks prior to the meeting date. The board chair will follow-up with a telephone call to discuss further its appropriateness for the agenda.
5.4. A final agenda will be sent out three to five (3 to 5) days before the meeting.
5.5. The associate superintendent of business services shall record the minutes of the meeting and disburse to all Council of Council members.