We all know that the Chicago Public Schools are in a state of um, flux. They are trying things that other school systems don't do or maybe even, don't need. One of the experiments that seem to work in some schools is the Local School Council:
Local School Councils (LSCs) are elected bodies at
nearly every Chicago Public Schools (CPS) elementary, middle
and high school. The LSC has 6 parents, 2 community
members who are not parents of students at the school, 2
teachers, the principal, and, in high schools, a student
member. The parents and community members are elected by
the parents and community residents around the school.
Teachers are selected by the school staff. These members serve
for a two-year term. High school student members serve for
one year. By law, the LSC chairperson must be a parent
representative.
The LSC's major responsibilities are to approve the
school budget and annual strategic plan (called the school
improvement plan), to evaluate the principal every year and to
decide every four years if they want to renew the principal's
contract or hire a new principal. This is the strongest site-
based management system in the nation.
The LSC system is well known in my home as my husband served one term as a community member just before our daughter was born. He didn't run for a second term because we moved out of the school area. He learned a lot from being on the LSC and quickly became connected to some of the community organizations that work on education issues. He learned a lot about CPS and how political things are even at the local school level. It was an experience that he relishes. It's 1) The only campaign he has worked on where he was on the winning end; 2) Loved the campaigning - meeting parents, talking to kids about what they wanted (recess!); and 3) Even if it was a lot of work (more than just the monthly meeting) he did have a good time. Some days he might debate that last point, but I know him. He had fun.
Monday is the last day to file for the current LSC election cycle and according to PURE, 38 schools are in danger of not having enough people to fill their LSC!
Look at this list.
Look for your school, for other schools in your community, your
relatives' schools, schools located near your place of worship or
community center. See if they need one or two or three people to step
up and volunteer. Consider becoming a candidate yourself. With such little competition, you might just win! And there's a lot of help on this web site and elsewhere to support you as an LSC member.
Nomination forms must be submitted at the school by 3 pm Monday March 24. Forms are available on the CPS web site. You can also drop your forms off at the PURE office up until 2 pm Monday.
Take the weekend to assess if you have the time, energy, and passion to make a difference in the lives of the young people of Chicago. I know that once our lil one hits kindergarten next year, I'll be well known on the PTA/LSC circuit. But remember, you don't have to have a child there! Community member slots are just that, for those in the community.
Veronica is still obsessed with CPS and blogging at Viva La Feminista, WIMN's Voices, Chicago Moms Blog and Work it, Mom!
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