1. Call to Order/Approve Agenda
2. Public Comment
3. Approve Meeting Minutes for October 10, 2017
4. SGC/SCC Bylaws – Discussion
5. BP/AR 1340: Public Records Act – Discussion
6. Corrections to Various BPs and ARs—Action
7. Update Policy Calendar

Board Policy Subcommittee Minutes
Room 126
October 10, 2017
3pm

Chair Daniels called the Policy Subcommittee meeting to order at 3:05

Roll Call:
Josh Daniels, Chair – Present
Ty Alper, Director – Present
Donald Evans, Superintendent – Present
Lyz Chairez, Recorder – Present 

Approval of Agenda
Motion to approve agenda:
Daniels/Alper and unanimously approved

Public Comment:
One comment on SGC bylaws 

Approval of Board Policy Subcommittee Meeting Minutes for September 29, 2017
Motion to approve policy subcommittee minutes:
Daniels/Alper

DISCUSSION

SCC/SGC Bylaws

Natasha Beery said that there is variation in SGC format throughout the sites. The goal is to get input from the policy committee before revising bylaws to ensure consistency. Participants reviewed the objectives. Discussion centered around how to elect members, cast votes, and recusal of participants. A preliminary draft reflective of the committee’s input will come back at a subsequent meeting.

Update Policy Calendar
Policy Calendar was updated.

Adjourn:
Meeting adjourned at 3:40p.m.

Goals for SSC/SGC Bylaw Revision, District Objectives, and Questions for Discussion

Goal I: Strengthen Participation in School Site Councils

District Staff Objectives:

• Ensure bylaws are compliant with California Ed Code and the BSEP measure in terms of the constitution of elected representatives.
• Promote a healthy combination of new and veteran members, and a diverse membership that reflects the school community.
• Clarify conflict of interest provisions, especially for staff participation., and provide better options for filling empty seats and for removal for cause.
• Clarify the options for the inclusion of  interested individuals who are not voting members.
• Define how school organizations such as ELAC and PTA are included in SGC/SSC.
• Find a productive manner to expand community awareness and participation in SGC deliberations.

Questions for Subcommittee:

The composition of site councils is determined by state law (parity among staff and parents/students, for example, and no “reserved seats”).  However, we have consistently run into problems, including:

• On the staff side, it is has been difficult to recruit staff reps who are not subject to conflict of interest provisions. Must they be completely recused from participating or can they just be recused from budget discussions?
• On the parent side, principals want to evaluate different ways of decision-making that may bring more community participation, including slate elections, seating reps+alternates and only distinguishing when there is a vote, or shared seats, or proportional voting. Are there creating solutions to bringing more voices to the table that still comply with parity rules?
• One suggestion has been to encourage the creation of Plenary Sessions at which many community reps and individuals participate (ELAC, PTA, SGC) in discussions of school culture, climate, and academics, and then convene the SGC as a break-out session in which participation/voting is in accordance with quorum and parity requirements for voting purposes. Is this solution workable in the view of the Board?

Goal II: Evaluate and Clarify Purpose of Site Councils

District Staff Objectives:   

• Clarify the purpose of Site Councils as related to State requirements and the BSEP Measure.
• Evaluate whether there is a need for a different set of bylaws for BHS or one set for K-12;
• Evaluate whether the BHS Site Council and BSEP Committee might have flexible membership between the committees in order to improve purpose, quorum and participation.
• Clarify expectations of the role of SSC/SGC with respect to the Single Plan and the WASC.

Questions for Subcommittee:

Could the site councils expand their purpose beyond the state and E1 requirements? For example, if a “Plenary Session” model were adopted, could the District suggest/require that the SSC/SGC purpose includes not only the Single Plan for Student Achievement, but also some specific goals around School Climate, Parent Agreements, etc.

Goal III: Improve Site Council Processes

District Staff Objectives:

• Review  election processes, including timing, voting methods, online vs. paper ballots, verification/record of vote.
• Evaluate options for strengthening committee composition and continuity, including staggered terms, slate elections, appointment of liaisons
• Improve compliance with Brown Act and Public Records Act.
• Provide training of Chairs and co-Chairs in meeting facilitation to strengthen collaborative discussions
• Improve and strengthen member capacity to knowledgeably and effectively participate in SGC meetings, including resources and tools to assist members in understanding and exercising their responsibilities.

Questions for Subcommittee:

Do any of the areas above raise specific concerns?