-
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL
THE BASICS—IMPORTANT BULLETS
What Is A School Improvement Council (SIC):
· A broad-based community advisory group
· Established in state law over 35 years ago
What Do SIC Do?
· Assist and provide input in developing their school’s five year Improvement Plan
· Write and issue the annual SIC Report to the Parents
· Provide input on expenditure of incentive funds (Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards)
SIC Membership:
· Composition (2/3) (1/3 is set by state law with five (5) primary membership categories):
*Parents (elected for staggered two-year terms)
*Teachers (elected for staggered two-year terms)
*Students ( Grades 9-12; elected for staggered two-year terms)
*Community members (appointed as terms established by laws)
*Ex-Officio (principal required by law, other individuals by virtue of their position,
Knowledge or experience; such as Assistant Principal, PTO Rep, Business Partner, Past
SIC Chair, Title I Parent Advisory Rep)
SIC Elections:
· Annual election of SIC members should be concluded by October 15 per statute
· SIC officers (chair, vice chair, secretary, should be elected by the SIC itself prior to November 15
Reporting deadline
SIC Meeting Minutes:
· Minutes should be a record of SIC action, not a transcript of the meeting
· Capture votes or any actions taken and brief descriptions of any discussion
· Record SIC members present and absent
· Circulate draft to all SIC members and vote on minutes at next SIC meeting
· Maintain copies of approved minutes
Developing SIC Bylaws:
· Bylaws are your SIC’s rules of thumb
· Should cover the following: Purpose- membership, election/appointment; tenure-officers/duties, meetings, voting; training-amendments
SICs and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA):
· SIC are considered “public bodies” as defined by South Carolina law (Title 30, Chapter 4)
· Meetings are open
· Records are open
SIC Goals:
· Caring Adults-safe places, a healthy start; effective education-opportunities to help others
· Set 1 to 4 goals aligned with the Five-Year Plan
· All SIC members should have a copy of the Plan
Reporting on SIC Work:
· SIC issues (April 30) the SIC Report to the parents outlining progress for the current school year
· With the principal, the SIC writes the annual narrative for the SC School Report Card