The School Council Initiative is an important educational tool for enhancing student achievement and school improvement.
McMillan and Associates serves as principal consultant for the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools System’s School Council Initiative. The firm provides the training, management and oversight of its initiative for the school system.
The school council concept is a creation of Georgia Law. It was established by H.B. 1187, the A Plus Educational Reform Act of 2000. The Act mandated the establishment of school councils in all schools by October 2003. The Act, through the school councils, fosters a collaborative relationship between school administrators, teachers, parents and the business community.
At the present time, the Savannah-Chatham County Public School district consists of 47 active school councils. These councils are currently being restructured to comport with the new school council law, enacted by the 2004 session of the Georgia Legislature.
The school councils exercise a special advisory relationship with the school board and the superintendent of schools.
The School Council:
• Is an advisory group
• Focuses on school improvement and student achievement
• Is a new method of involving the community in the educational process
• Is not a “mini-board” of education
• Is not a political forum
• Does not run the day-to-day operations of the schools
• Is not responsible for hiring and firing of school personnel
• Exists to provide advice, assistance, and recommendations on matters
