Local School Council Minutes
Local School Council Minutes - 9/19/2024
There was a call to order at 12:15 pm on September 19, 2024.
Participants were introduced: Candace Haynes-Principal, Katherine Head-SPED Teacher-Secretary, Katie Rawlins-Instructional Coach, Bridgett Brown-Assistant Principal, Shari Mann -PTA President, Tracyann Craddock-Parent, Danielle Davis-Administrative Assistant-LES, Jauna Turman-Parent/PTA, Jillian Hall-Parent/PTA, Ed Martel-Parent/PTA, Greg Faulkner-Parent, Rosario Barrita-Parent, Mariana Arana-Parent/Interpreter/Office, Akira Cooke-Parent-.
Jana Parham-School Council Chairperson and Ebony Clement-School Council Vice-Chairperson were not present.
Introductions were made. Agenda and norms were reviewed. Warm welcome.
Local School Training Power Point- PowerPoint for School Council Training was presented, and a copy will be emailed to all members. This training will be offered to members annually. There is an emphasis on bringing home and school closer together and to increase communication to improve academic achievement. The mission is to focus on impacting/improving student achievement. School councils are advisory bodies created to improve student achievement and can offer advice and make recommendations. A part of the council’s charge is to encourage the participation of parents and the community with teachers and school administrators to create a better understanding for school improvement. This can be accomplished by use of Parent Square, attending after school evening activities, Title 1 Parent information sessions, and joining PTA. After a recent vote, a new local board member for the GCPS School Board/LES area will be joining the board. Dr. Thompson is our cluster superintendent and Dr. Watts is the GCPS superintendent. Local council members asked what we can do to encourage more involvement from parents? Suggestions: Vary times for activities/meetings to accommodate parents’ schedules, offer zoom options as well as in person, and/or send out a survey to ask more details about schedules to help schedule activities.
The principal, at least 2 teachers, 2 parents, and 2 other community members should be on the council. Ms. Haynes sends out a public notice to invite others to be a part of the school council. A written resignation needs to be sent to the council if anyone wants to withdraw from the council. Elections to fill a vacancy should be within 30 days. The School Council will meet 4 times yearly and will be open to the public. A quorum must be present in order to conduct official business.
Review of By-Laws- The By-Laws were given to each member. By-Laws were revisited by each member. Ms. Rawlins made a motion to accept the By-Laws, Ms. Mann seconded the motion, no debate, all voted, and the By-Laws were accepted as all present voted to keep them as is.
Staff Updates: LES lost a teacher point and displaced one fourth grade teacher. Points are based on the number of students who have shown up to school (averaging 15 students per class in 4th grade). There are 5 student counts. Human Resources contacted us at the 3rd count that we are 28 below enrollment. Title 1 funds can be used to fund a teacher if that is best for the school as funds are needed to operate the school as well. We have hired a new clinic worker, Ms. Smith. We have one paraprofessional vacancy in our SID/PID special needs Pre-K class. One paraprofessional has been hired in another special needs Pre-K class.
Minutes will be emailed to all members as well as made public. The last meeting minutes were reviewed. Ms. Brown motioned to accept the minutes. Ms. Turman seconded the motion.
The agenda was amended to give a safety and security update. Ms. Brown motioned to amend and Ms. Mann seconded the motion.
At LES, the back lobby was closed and added a vestibule to the front of the school. There is a staff member at the back lobby for morning arrival and then it is closed the rest of the day.
There is 3-pronged approach.
1-Prevention---2-Mitigation---3-How do you respond and recover?
We do not have trailers at LES. All student classrooms are located inside the building. LES is completely fenced in.
Use of vestibule, camera system, weather radio, VMS-buzz in controls/reception desk alert button, ENS-Blue button (signals 911/locks down school/life-threatening emergencies) (administrators can set off Blue Button from their laptops as well, Centegix badges for all staff, hard lock down drills, school safety tip lines to report emergencies (770-513-6715), P3Campus-can contact school without disclosing your identity (text, QR Code, website)
What’s next?-Looking into Increase in School Resource Officers in Elementary Schools, EVOLV Weapons Detection System, Clear Bag Policy. Work with students to “See something, Say something”.
www.gcpsk12.org/schools/safety-and-security
www.gcpsk12.org/schools/safety-and-security/safe-and-secure-schools-in-gcps
www.gcpsk12.org/schools/safety-and-security/school-resource-officers-program
www.gcpsk12.org/schools/safety-and-wellness
www.gcpsk12.org/schools/safety-and-security/emergencies-and-anonymous-tips
A member of the council asked about policy for change of transportation home. Parent should write a note for the change. Procedures as stated are that written notes are accepted but there are extenuating circumstances for emergencies. A follow up phone call will be made.
Questions-Questions about DLD procedures were clarified. Pre-K does not participate in DLD.
The next School Council meeting will be November 21, 2024, at 12:00 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:40 pm.