Okaloosa County
School District
School Advisory Council Training
2014-2015
Your OCSD SAC Contact:
Debbie Davis
833-3386
davisdeb@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us
Vision and Mission:
Vision Statement:
We inspire a lifelong passion for learning.
Mission:
We prepare all students to achieve excellence by
providing the highest quality education while
empowering each individual to positively impact
their families, communities, and the world.
Core Values:
Accountability: We, working in conjunction with students’ families, accept
responsibility to ensure student learning, to pursue excellence, and to hold high
standards for all.
Citizenship: We prepare all students to exercise the duties, rights, and privileges
of being a citizen in a local community and global society.
Excellence: We pursue the highest academic, extracurricular, and
personal/professional standards through continuous reflection and improvement.
Integrity: We embrace a culture in which individuals adhere to exemplary
standards and act honorably.
Personal Growth: We promote the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and
experience to develop individuals with the aspiration, perseverance, and resilience to
be lifelong learners.
Respect: We show regard and consideration for all through a culture of dignity,
diversity, and empathy.
Leadership: We provide guidance and direction to accomplish tasks while being a
moral compass to others.
Training Objectives:
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To understand the roles and responsibilities
of School Advisory Council members
To understand that SAC meetings are
subject to the Government in the Sunshine
Law
To be able to actively participate in the
School Improvement Process
To gain a basic understanding of Florida’s
Accountability System
What is a SAC?
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School Advisory Councils were established
by the legislature to expand the role that
parents, students, community members and
teachers have in making decisions about
their schools.
Councils are made up of parents, students,
teachers, educational support staff, the
principal and community members.
The SAC must be representative of the
ethnic, racial, and economic community
served by the school.
SAC Responsibilities
School Advisory Councils
SAC Duties and Responsibilities –
defined through statutes
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Assists in the preparation and evaluation of the School
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Decides how school improvement funds are spent
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Performance Plan. (SPP)
Decides jointly with school faculty how A+ recognition funds
are spent – except after Feb. 1 (*funding determined by DOE
and may fluctuate, depending on financial status)
Assists the principal with the school budget
Performs functions as prescribed by regulations of the school
board
Other Possible Duties of SAC
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Adoption of school calendar
Input into District’s Legislative Program
Waivers for school improvement plans
Monitoring school safety
Assist in school climate survey
Liaison to the community
Involvement in special committees and
School improvement Teams – “SIT”
School Improvement Funds…
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May be expended only on programs and
projects selected by SAC
Are not subject to override by principal or
district staff
May not be used for capital improvements
or projects lasting more than one year
(However, SAC may approve again in
subsequent year)
Up to $5 per un-weighted FTE student *
School Recognition Funds
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Expenditures are jointly decided by faculty
and SAC
Can be used for bonuses, materials,
equipment, temporary personnel, or any
combination
Decision must be made by Feb. 1 or funds
are dispersed as bonuses to only classroom
teachers currently employed
$100 per FTE
SAC Bylaws
School Advisory
Councils
SAC Meetings…
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Florida Statues (ss. 1001.452) require each SAC shall adopt bylaws
establishing procedures for:
 At least 3-days’ advance notice in writing to all SAC members of any
matter that is scheduled be voted on
 Requiring a quorum of at least 51% to be present before a vote may be
taken by the school advisory council
 Scheduling meetings when parents, students, teachers, business persons,
and members of the community can attend.
 Replacing any member who has two unexcused consecutive absences
from a SAC meeting that is noticed as per bylaws.
 Recording minutes of meetings.
SAC Bylaws (required by law)
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Name of Council
Purposes, Basic Policies, Governance
Duties & Obligations – address:
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School Improvement Funds
A+ Funds
SPP
School annual budget: procedure for “assisting”
Member Composition
– Positions, duties, procedures for elections and term of office
– Procedures for appointing members, removing members,
replacing members
– Nomination Committee (optional)
– Duties, Meetings & Quorum of Executive Board
– Emergency decision procedures
SAC Bylaws, continued
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Decisions/Meetings
– Advance Notice of Vote/Meetings
– Sunshine Laws
– Special or AD hoc Committees
– Quorum > 50%
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Amendments or Revisions of Bylaws
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Fiscal Year, Parliamentary Authority
Florida Sunshine Law
School Advisory Councils must abide by
the Government in the Sunshine Law
Sunshine Law
Requires…
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SAC meetings are public meetings and
subject to the Sunshine Law
ss.286.011(1)
– Reasonable Notice
– Open to public
– Held in public locations
– Minutes recorded and open for public
inspection
– Open voting---no secret ballots
SAC Membership
School Advisory Councils
SAC Members(Voting)
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SAC members are elected from their peer groups;
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teachers elect teachers, staff elects staff, parents elect parents and
students elect students.
SACs must consist of the principal and an appropriately
balanced number of teachers, staff, parents, community
members & students. “Technical center & high school
advisory councils shall include students and middle & junior
high school advisory councils may include students.”
SACs must represent the ethnic, racial and economic makeup
of the community served by the school. To achieve this,
members may be appointed. (MIS Form 1411)
In addition, the majority of SAC members (over 51%) must
not be employed by the school district. (Senate Bill 1908)
SAC Membership FAQ
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Is the principal a voting member?
YES
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Can the assistant principal be a member?
An assistant principal can and probably should
attend meetings and give input, but may not be
a voting member of SAC
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What is the allowable % difference between school
community composition and SAC demographic
composition?
– DOE recommends a maximum of 10%.
– In case of an audit, documentation will be
required showing every effort was made to
achieve compliance.
SAC Membership FAQ
continued
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Can a parent who is employed by Okaloosa County
School District serve on SAC as a parent at their
child’s school?
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This parent may serve as a member of SAC
but must be reported for official membership
purposes in the most appropriate category
on the membership form (MIS 1411) as a
teacher, support employee, or principal.
A SAC Member’s Role
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Attends meetings & training
Uses state & district goals as guiding principles
Assesses school data, surveys
Assists in the preparation & evaluation of the SPP
Determine & prioritize the needs of the school
Develop strategies for improvement
Decides how to measure results of the SPP
Assists in development and implementation of SPP
Assist in preparing the school’s annual budget
The SAC Chair/Co-chairs
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Knowledgeable about SAC duties & responsibilities.
Establishes an agenda
Prepares for meeting; notifies members of meeting
& training opportunities
Facilitates the meetings (co-chair or vice chair fills
absence)
Keep to task, maintains order, involves members
 Repeat all motions before vote
 Involves members & establishes subcommittees
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Signs School Performance Plan
The Principal
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Responsible for school administration
Assesses school data, surveys
Facilitates SAC recommendations in development &
implementation of SPP
• “Shall provide leadership in the development or revision and
implementation of a school improvement plan” ss.1001.42
• Ensure that all school reports are accurate and timely, and must
provide the necessary training opportunities for staff to
accurately report attendance, FTE program participation, student
performance, teacher appraisal, and school safety and discipline
data
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Ensures proper SAC elections & appointments
Keeps SAC informed of activities & policies of the school
Encourages participation & problem solving & teamwork
Part of the SAC team
The SAC Secretary
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Determination of a quorum for meetings
Accurate recording of SAC business
Maintains up-to-date records of minutes
Keeps records of attendance
Duties at the meeting:
 Reading or providing minutes
 Taking accurate minutes
The SAC Secretary…continued
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Tasks after the meeting:
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Writing the minutes promptly
Noting status of previous minutes
Dispatching correspondence
Dispatching the minutes for agenda prep
Notification of elections or appointments
Sending copy of all minutes and agendas
to district contact
Other SAC Officers, optional
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SAC Treasurer
 Keeps track of School Improvement Funds
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SAC Corresponding Secretary
 Letters and other correspondence
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Parliamentarian
 Time-keeper, Robert’s Rules of Order
...determined by your SAC’s needs
SAC Minutes
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Required by FL Sunshine Law +
Statutes
Should be brief yet accurate
Public record
SAC Minutes Include:
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Kind of meeting, name of council, date, time, and
place
Attendance, determination of quorum, and any
member replacement
Call to order, name of presiding officer and recorder
Agenda and previous minutes
Motions and votes (include election info)
Any correspondence (attach)
Hour of adjournment and next meeting date, time,
place
“Submitted by,” sign and type name, position.
SAC Documents of Record
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List of meetings for the year
Bylaws
Membership Roster
MIS 1411: Membership documentation
form
Agendas
Minutes
Copies are kept on file at the school and at the District Office
Send…
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signed bylaws
signed MIS 1411due by Sept. 30
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Membership Rosterdue by Sept. 30
List of meetings
Dates/times/locations
via courier to:
Debbie Davis
Central
Administrative
Complex
Agendas
 Minutes
via e-mail to:

Debbie Davis
davisdeb@mail.okaloosa.
k12.fl.us
Membership Roster
Be sure to list
School Name
List as Parent, Community, Teacher, Staff,
Student, or Principal AND IF APPLICABLE,
indicate SAC office OR non-voting status.
MIS 1411
>50% Non
School District
Employees
Report only your
voting members
here
Use the most
recent
demographic data
and maintain a
record of pull-date
Principal and SAC
Chair must sign
and date
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Before submitting
documents …
Include year and
school name
Verify numbers of
peer group with
membership roster
Percents of each
ethnic category must
agree as closely as
possible to
school/community
percentages and
each column should
total 100%
Sign and date
Ethnicity of School and
Community
Student Population
Or
Community Population
http://factfinder2.census.gov/face
s/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml###
School Advisory Council
District Requirements
Each School Advisory Council must
consist of:
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At least 17 members
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an odd number of members
Agendas and Minutes
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Please submit to the District in a
timely manner
List school name in the heading
List school name in subject line on all
e-mails
School Performance Plan
School Performance Plan
AKA—School Improvement Plan
Made up of goals and objectives
established for the school and
determined by needs of the school
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Purpose: To increase student
performance
Includes: strategies, safety, discipline,
health and fitness, resources (human
and material), and measured goals
Role of the School
 Develop a School Performance Plan under the principal’s
leadership with objectives in reading, mathematics,
writing and science.
 Allocate school resources based on these objectives.
 Closely monitor the effectiveness of the plan during the
year using internal assessments to determine student
gains.
 Adjust strategies, if needed, in order to reach objectives.
Role of the District
 The District will provide Schools with a timeline and
training on the School Performance Plan process.
 The District will develop district-wide staff
development and technology plans based on common
themes that emerge from School Performance Plans.
 Directors of Curriculum and Instruction will work with
principals throughout the year to monitor the
effectiveness of school plans.
SPP Components
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Vision and Mission Statement
School Profile
Community and Parent Awareness
Supporting Data (including AMO Goal)
District and School Focus (math, reading, writing,
science) and Objectives
School Action Plan
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Professional Development
Steps for Implementation
Implementation Monitoring
Evaluation
Community and Parent
Awareness
Supporting Data
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A detailed data report of school data is
provided for each school within its
SPP template
Annual Monitoring Objectives are included
in the goals set for each school
REMEMBER: Education programs are
based on student performance data.
District and School Focus
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Each school must address reading,
mathematics, writing, and science.
The SPP allows for variance reflecting each
individual school’s areas of strength and
weakness.
Schools should build upon strengths and put
strategies in place to improve upon
weaknesses
Action Plan
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Organized by focus areas
Includes
– Professional Development
– Steps for Implementation
– Implementation Monitoring
– Evaluation
SPP
Template
The District SPP
template
reports
compliance to
SAC guidelines,
designation of
SAC funds, and
SAC approval of
the SPP.
School Performance Plan
is…
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The guiding document for a school's
major initiatives for school performance
Written by a committee of
parents, faculty members,
administrators and community members
Approved by the School Advisory
Council (SAC).
School Accountability
Reporting
2013 - 2014
Adequate Yearly Progress
Florida has been granted a flexibility waiver
from the US DOE to eliminate the NCLB
requirements for School Accountability has
moved to a single accountability model:
A+
State Accountability System
Measurement targets performance and
participation of all students, with an
emphasis on lowest performing 25%.
Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs):
 AMOs were established by the FLDOE to
replace the AYP reporting component.
 AMOs are determined separately for each
school and subgroup (calculated individually),
by subject area: Reading and Math.
 AMOs show whether the school/subgroup is on
track to reduce its percent of non-proficient
students by half by 2016-17.
 For each school and subgroup, a separate
target is set beginning 2011-12 and continuing
through 2016-17.
2013 -2014
FCAT 2.0 and Florida EOC
Assessments
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Single statewide system of
accountability used to determine Annual
Measurable Objectives (AMOs) Targets
A major component in the school grade
formula
2013 - 2014
http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/
http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/
Florida Assessments
2014 - 2015
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Florida Standards Assessments in English
Language Arts and Mathematics replace FCAT
2.0 in reading/writing and mathematics for grades
3-8
Florida Standards End-of-Course
Assessments replace former NGSSS EOC Exams
in Algebra 1 and Geometry
Florida Standards End-of-Course
Assessment is added for Algebra 2
FSA Portal: http://fsassessments.org/
Florida Assessments
2014 - 2015
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NGSSS Assessments:
Science Grades 5 and 8
Civics End-of-Course Exam
U. S. History End-of-Course Exam
Biology 1 End-of-Course Exam
Florida Bureau of K-12 Assessment: http://fcat.fldoe.org/
Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful citizens can change the
world. Indeed it is the only thing that
ever has.
Margaret Mead
Resources…
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Public Meetings and the Sunshine Law
– http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/Main/DC0B20B7DC22
B7418525791B006A54E4
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The Continuous Improvement
Management System (CIMS)
– https://www.flsiponline.com/
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FL Assoc of School Advisory Councils
– http://florida-family.net/SAC
Questions???
Contact your District SAC Administrator:
Debbie Davis
833-3386
davisdeb@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us