Wednesday, February 28, 2001

Board eyes policies, time line for school councils By DAVE HAMRICK dhamrick@TheCitizenNews.com Local advisory councils for at least three Fayette County schools would be chosen by May and begin meeting in August under a time line being considered by the Board of Education. Dr. John DeCotis, superintendent of schools, presented the time line and proposed policies governing the councils during the Board of Education's meeting Monday night. Board members will consider the proposals for a month and vote on them March 19 at 7 p.m. The plan, DeCotis said, is to pilot the school council concept in three or four schools this coming school year, with plans to expand the program to all county schools in 2002-2003. That's in compliance with new state law enacted last year, which requires school systems to have councils operating in one elementary, one middle and one high school by October, if they want to keep receiving state funding. Under the proposal, the pilot schools would be Starr's Mill High School, Whitewater Middle and Braelinn Elementary, with tentative plans to also include Peeples Elementary. Bylaws and codes of ethics for the councils have been adapted from those developed for Marietta schools, and DeCotis is recommending that the councils use those bylaws for four or five months, then amend them as necessary, after sending suggested amendments to him for review. If the time line is approved, policy and administrative procedures for the councils will be introduced to the school board in March, with adoption in April. Principals also will notify the public of meetings in April, and the school board would consider appointment of business representatives for the councils. Under the law, principals would appoint one business partner and the board would appoint another. Councils are required to have two business representatives, two parents and three teachers. Election of council members would be set for May, with training of the councils to take place during June and July and meetings to begin in August. What do you think of this story? Click here to send a message to the editor. Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page