Policies and Procedures
Policy BDF- Advisory Committees/Councils
The Board of Education of the Denver Public Schools encourages the participation of citizens of the district in decision making processes. However, the legal responsibility for decision making in all matters of policy and operation rests with the Board.
1. Board-Endorsed advisory committees/councils, both district-wide and at the school level, shall function within organizational frameworks approved by the Board. A staff member or members maybe assigned to each group to help it develop an appropriate constitution and/or by-laws, carry out its functions and coordinate its work with other advisory councils and staff groups. Only the Board shall have the authority to dissolve committees it has created.
2. School and district-wide advisory committees/councils that are required under federal and state programs shall be formed and shall function in accordance with the requirements pertaining to each specific federal or state program. The Board shall grant to those bodies the advisory responsibilities relevant to the planning, implementation and evaluation of such program or project as required by law.
3. Community groups that are neither appointed by the Board nor formed as required under federal or state programs are encouraged to offer suggestions and advice to the Board in order to assist it in the decision making process. The final responsibility for all decisions, however, rests with the Board of Education alone.
4. Councils/Committees required by state or federal law and/or under the authority of the Board include the Denver Parent, Teacher, Student Association; the American Indian Education Advisory Council; Arts Education Advisory Council; Asian Education Advisory Council; Black Education Advisory Council; English Language Acquisition Education Advisory Council; Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual or Transgender Advisory Council; Gifted and Talented Education Advisory Council; Latino Education Advisory Council; Parent Council; District School Improvement and Accountability Council; and Special Education Advisory Council. The Board of Education has the authority to create or dissolve District councils.
District-wide councils will consist of members representing a broad range of people who have demonstrated interest in, and concern for, the welfare of the students of Denver Public Schools; said membership will include parents, community, staff and students (as appropriate).
Each council may organize itself in such fashion and with such structure as it determines appropriate. Decisions regarding day-to-day operations, regular and special meetings of the councils will be conducted in accordance with the procedures or by-laws approved by the individual council.
Each council will prepare and submit periodic reports to the Board. The Board will provide opportunities for council reports at Board of Education meeting.
Council meetings shall be open to the public. Meeting notices shall be posted in the same place and manner as notices of Board meetings.
The Purpose and Objectives of said councils may include, but will not be limited to:
· Function in an advisory capacity to the Board of Education, the superintendent and the administration.
· Be knowledgeable of programs, personnel, budget, educational programs and services in Denver Public Schools which are designed to meet the needs of students.
· Be knowledgeable of federal, state and local laws, regulations, rules and guidelines affecting schools, children, programs and services.
· Participate in needs-assessments and make recommendations for staff and program improvements to the Board of Education, the superintendent and District department administrators (as appropriate).
· Contribute suggestions concerning long-range establishment of school district goals and objectives, setting of policies and priorities, and evaluation of programs in Denver Public Schools.
· Identify and recommend activities which will lead to improved school-community relations.
· Serve as an advisory board when programs are being changed or new programs established.
· Serve in an advisory capacity to interpret the needs of the community.
· Improve public information by serving as a liaison to the community and to disseminate information about the Denver Public School District.
· Act as a review and sounding board for individuals or groups who may want to express concerns.
· Act as a liaison among the superintendent, Board of Education and the community as a whole. Listen to the community and gather information and ideas, which, in turn, the council will relate to the superintendent or other appropriate staff.
· Foster better understanding and human relations by sharing the concerns and deliberations of the council with the community as a whole.
· Serve as a community resource that the superintendent and Board may call upon in defining and addressing specific school/community educational needs.
5. The Board establishes the Joint Advisory Council to provide a common forum for Board endorsed councils. The Joint Advisory Council will work to strengthen and support the role of parents as active participants in their children's achievement; and will serve as an advocate for equity in the needs of all children across the district.
The Joint Advisory Council shall serve as a resource that the superintendent and Board may call upon in defining and addressing specific District needs. The Joint Advisory Council shall serve as a forum for the educational and program councils to report an update of their constituency's activities and objectives. The Joint Advisory Council may identify common topics, projects objectives and/or activities on which to collaborate.
The Joint Advisory Council will comprise 1 representative from each advisory council. Each member participating as described above will be entitled to one vote. Proxy voting and absentee ballots will not be permitted.
Meetings of the Joint Advisory Council will be held on a regular basis to be decided at the beginning of each school year. A calendar of scheduled meetings will be published at the beginning of the school year and distributed to all members of the Joint Advisory Council. Special meetings may be called by a majority vote of council members present at any meeting. All Joint Advisory Council meetings shall be open to the public.
The Joint Advisory Council may organize itself in such fashion and with such structure as it determines appropriate. Decisions regarding day-to-day operations, regular and special meetings of the council will be conducted in accordance with the Joint Council's procedures or by-laws approved by the council.
The Joint Advisory Council will hold its regular and special meetings in a facility of the Denver Public Schools as announced on the yearly calendar or at a facility determined at a previous meeting of the council.
Approved 1993
Revised: December 18, 2003
Revised: August 21, 2008
Delete Policy: BDFD-R Hispanic Education Advisory Council
Delete Policy: BDFE-R Black Education Advisory Council
Delete Policy: BDFF-R Special Education Advisory Committee
Delete Policy: BDFG-R Asian Education Advisory Council
Delete Policy: BDFH-R American Indian Education Advisory Council
Delete Policy: BDFJ-R Gifted and Talented Education Advisory Council
Delete Policy: AE-R Advisory Accountability Council
