Three important items:
DAC Meeting:To ensure that every interested person receives the notice, below is the DAC Agenda for the Tuesday May 13 meeting. It is important that all DAC Representatives attend this meeting as the agenda includes elections for the DAC Executive Board. The DAC Nomination Committee has selected candidates for the Executive Board, but it is not too late to be considered as a candidate. Nominations, including self-nominations, will be accepted anytime before the vote on May 13th.
The Executive Board serves a two-year term (July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2016). The positions being considered are President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, and Secretary. These elections will help to determine the direction of the DAC over the next two years.
DAC is a unique council where all school sites have the opportunity to represent their school. It is the only location where parents, teachers, administration, staff and district staff are able to meet on a level playing field. With the new LCFF (Local Control Funding Formula) the DAC can be a powerful voice for district parents. But, for that voice to be heard you must actively support it. I invite you to join with me in supporting the DAC. (Childcare is always available at the general meetings)
School Site Council Elections:School Site Councils (SSC) are composed of a principal, staff and parents/guardians (students may participate at middle and high schools). This group has its finger on the pulse of the school - reviewing academic performance and ensuring that the School Plan and budget work to meet the needs of all students. Members also liaison with the School District Advisory Council to gain a district-wide perspective.
Ideally School Site Councils should be holding member elections at this time. Best practice for Elementary and High Schools is to hold their elections in the spring so new council members have the chance to become familiar with the Site Council processes before the start of the new school year. Two-year middle schools usually hold elections in the fall to be inclusive of the incoming 7th grade parents.
If your school has yet not announced SSC elections you may want the to use the SSC Nomination Template included here to help the process get started.
School & District Financial Reports availableThe SCUSD has come a long way in allowing the public to see their financial reports. Information that just a few years ago was available only through the public doc request process is today posted on the district website. Get there by clicking the link below or going to the "About Us" window and click Financial-Presentations-
Information on the SCUSD site
www.scusd.edu. There is up-to-date information on district and school budgets, as well as reports going back to 2010/11. Kudos to Ken Forest and Gerardo Castillo for getting this info out to the public.
Want to see how individual SCUSD schools and departments are doing at spending their money? Check this easier to read report on school and department fund balances for the end of April 2014. With only two months left until the end of the fiscal year, how is your school or department doing?
Dave Ross
