About School Council
NEWTON NORTH SCHOOL COUNCIL
As part of the Ed Reform Act of 1993, School Councils were mandated for each school across the Commonwealth. The Council offers a way for parents, teachers and community members to work together in an advisory capacity to the Principal.
The Newton North School Council advises the principal on budget, school improvement plans, and other issues of general interest. The Council meets on the first Monday of the month from 7-9 PM in the North library. All Council meetings are open to the public. In addition to the monthly meetings, parent representatives are expected to serve on subcommittees that meet approximately once a month, and occasionally to attend School Committee meetings that pertain to various issues the School Council is currently working on.
Each year in the fall, the Council decides upon one or two issues to focus on for the year, in addition to its ongoing work. This year, the Council chose to focus on the issue of student stress. In past years, the council has-
- Created a parent guide to the college process (2008-09)
- Conducted a staff survey to assess sentiment about the grading system (2001-02)
- Established standards for the various boards in the school (SFA, Academic Standards, Human Rights Board, etc.) (2001-02)
- Advocated for hiring new teachers in the early spring (2002-03)
- Wrote the first Athletic Handbook (1995-96)
- Advocated for phones and technology for teachers. (1999-2003)
- Discussed school maintenance and the upcoming new school /renovation. (1998-2004)
Newton North's School Council consists of the Principal and six professional staff, six students, up to two appointed community members who are not Newton North parents, and six parents, representing our diverse school community. Two parent representatives to the School Council will be elected this spring. Newly elected parent members will serve three-year terms, and they must have a child in the high school for those three years. The terms are staggered to provide continuity and to minimize turnover in any one year.
We encourage parents to consider this opportunity to be involved in school. In order for your name to appear on the ballot, a brief statement (100 words or less) must be submitted either by mail: to the Newton North PTSO (main office), 360 Lowell Avenue, Newtonville 02460, or by email to: co-presidents@northptso.org.
Guidelines for the Election of Newton North School Council Members
PARENT SCHOOL COUNCIL MEMBERS:
1. Each Newton North parent is eligible to cast one individual vote for each of the two positions available on the School Council.
2. The School Council election takes place in the Spring through the mail. Nomination Forms will be included in the April Report Card. If more than two individuals are nominated, each nominee's name and statement, along with a ballot, will be mailed to each student's parent(s)/guardian(s). Completed ballots must be returned to the school on or prior to the date printed on the ballot.
3. As mentioned above, the candidate's name and statement will be mailed to the school community. To help the community elect parents representing the different geographical areas of the Newton North community, we ask that nominees indicate the middle and elementary schools attended by their children. The statement should be 100 words or less and contain some of the following information:
* Particular interests, background, skills, expertise which have prepared the candidate for the role.
*Qualities the candidate would bring to the School Council.
4. Term of Office:
Candidates will be elected to three-year terms of office, and thus they must have a child in North for those years.
Parent members are expected to attend 80% of the meetings and will report anticipated absences to the chairperson. Responsibilities may include chairing or serving on subcommittees designated by the Council co-chairs and attendance at school committee meetings.
Current parent members cannot serve consecutive terms of office.
If a current School Council member resigns prior to the completion of her/his term, a replacement from the most recent election will be appointed - the first runner-up or if this person is unable to serve, the 2nd runner-up. The newly appointed member will serve the remaining months of the resigning member's term and can run in the general election as any other candidate.
Parents shall have parity with professional personnel on the School Council.
TEACHER SCHOOL COUNCIL MEMBERS:
1. Any staff person may nominate herself/himself or be nominated by a colleague at a scheduled faculty meeting.
2. Election timing -- for example: School Council elections will be held in June no later than the last faculty meeting of the school year or elections will be held during the first (2nd, 3rd) faculty meeting in the fall.
3. Every effort will be made to ensure broad teacher representation, i.e. grade level, years of service/years at North, classroom/specialist area.
4. Professional personnel shall have parity with Parents on the School Council. If necessary, elections will be held by ballot. Nominees would submit written statements following prescribed criteria. All staff would review the statements and vote for no more than six positions.
5. Term of Office:
Teachers will serve for 3 years.
Teachers may serve no more than 2 consecutive terms, if nominated and elected by their peers. If a teacher cannot complete the term, a replacement from the most recent election would be appointed - either the first or second runner-up. If not applicable, the Principal may request nominees at the next faculty meeting. If no replacement is identified, the Council will operate in the absence of parity for the remainder of the school year.
Teachers are expected to attend at least 80% of meetings each year. All anticipated absences must be reported to the chair.
STUDENT SCHOOL COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. State legistration specifies that in a "school containing any of grades nine to twelve, there should be at least one student on the council". In the Policy for School Councils adopted by the School Committee in 1993, "no more than two students elected by the student council" should sit on the School Council.
2. Presently, six students are elected to sit on the School Council. The students are elected for a one year term in the spring, at the same time as other class elections, with two students from the present freshman, sophomore and junior classes being elected. Students are elected by their classmates and will give a speech prior to election.
3. Student members are expected to attend at least 80% of meetings each year. All anticipated absence must be reported to the chair. Responsibilities may include chairing or serving on subcommittees designated by the Council co-chairs and attendance at school committee meetings.
COMMUNITY SCHOOL COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. Any Newton resident without children currently attending Newton North High School can be nominated by a current parent or teacher for School Council membership.
2. The School Council will take the list of nominees and select the needed number of community members - an election is not held for the community members.
3. Community members will serve two year terms of office and are expected to attend at least 80% of the meetings.
REVISION OF ELECTION POLICY
Following each year's election, members should make note of any modifications which may be necessary to ensure the greatest parent, teacher and community member involvement.
Newton North High School PTSO, 360 Lowell Avenue, Newton, MA 02460