SAC

The School Advisory Council Guidelines

The principal is a member of the School Advisory Council (SAC).
High schools and Vocational/Technical schools shall have voting student members.
Middle and elementary schools may have student members.
All members, with the exception of the business and community members, will be elected by the constituents they represent.
Each SAC shall maintain a record (minutes) of all decisions, activities, and meetings, including attendance and voting records.
A majority of the members of each SAC must be persons who are not employed by the school district.
Each SAC shall be representative of the ethnic, racial, and economic community served by the school.
A majority of the membership is a quorum. A quorum must be present before a vote may be taken by the SAC.
SAC members are required to have at least 3 days advance notice in writing of any matter to be voted on.
SAC meetings are scheduled when parents, students and community members can attend.

Roles and Responsibilities of SAC Members

Members

Determine School Improvement Priorities
Publicize the School Improvement Plan
Support School Improvement Plan implementation
Evaluate the School Improvement Plan
Assist in decision making process and approval of expenditures of District Lottery Funds and School Recognition Funds, as well as review School Budget

Chair

Schedules SAC meetings
Sets Agenda with Principal
Sends Meeting Notice, including agenda, 2 weeks prior to meeting
Facilitates meeting
Determines strategy for making plans available

Principal is a SAC member

Keep up to date with legislation governing School Advisory Councils
Facilitates election process stated in by-laws
Provides testing, behavior, discipline and attendance data to the SAC
Seeks input from staff and the SAC on School Improvement Plan, School Budget, Lottery Money, and School Recognition Funds
Leads revision, implementation, and evaluation of the School Improvement Plan

Election Process

The principal will inform the school and community that nominations to the school’s advisory council are invited. Include parents of upcoming students.
The invitation for nomination must clearly note a deadline, membership categories and the process (time, date, event) by which the vote shall be taken.
After elections have taken place, the principal shall submit the list of members to the School Board, which includes name and ethnic/racial category.
Documentation of the nomination and election process will be maintained at the school as a public record. Once Council membership is approved by the School Board, a copy of the approved form is posted on the school board website.
Vacancies in any membership category during the year may be filled by principal appointment. The principal will inform the Community Involvement Office of any replaced members.

Election of Members

Florida Statute 1001.452 requires the election of School Advisory Council members who represent teachers, education support staff, students and parents.

51% or more of the SAC are family and community members, not employees of the school district
Percents must reflect the racial, ethnic, and economic diversity of your school community
Principals are required members of their school’s School Advisory Council
Career center and high school advisory councils shall include students, and middle and junior high school advisory councils may include students
Technical adult education centers are not required to include parents

They must be “elected by their respective peer groups at the school in a fair and equitable manner” as follows:

Teachers elect teachers
Education support staff must elect education support employees
Students elect students
Parents elect parents
Parents are elected at any school function by parents provided notice has been given that the election will take place

No election is required for community members. They are appointed by the school principal with SAC input.

The principal is responsible for ensuring that the elections take place and the composition of the SAC complies with the law. If the election process does not yield a SAC that reflects the racial, ethnic, and economic diversity of the student population at the school, the principal may appoint additional members to achieve the appropriate representation.

Each year the School Board reviews and approves the membership rosters of all School Advisory Councils. All members should be able to explain the process by which, and date upon which they were elected. Approved SAC Membership rosters are posted on the school board website.