Cape Smokey Elementary School 

Cape Smokey Elementary School Advisory Council Agreement

The purpose of this school advisory council agreement is to establish the terms of reference for the partnership between Cape Smokey Elementary School Advisory Council, Cape Breton Victoria Regional Centre for Education (CBVRCE), and the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to operate a School Advisory Council (SAC) at the school level.

Effective date and review of the agreement

The agreement begins when signed by all parties. The agreement shall be reviewed annually by the SAC before June 30 of each year. Any agreed-upon revisions can be made at that time and submitted to the CBVRCE and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development for consideration, to become effective upon approval of all partners.

Structure of the council

The Advisory Council shall include the following members:

• the principal(or alternate), who is a non-voting member

• two parents/guardians

• two staff members

• one community member

(at Cape Smokey Elementary there is a preference to have representation from our Home & School group where possible)

Names of the members of the Cape Smokey Elementary School Advisory Council and their respective years of service are detailed in an appendix to the bylaws.

Decision-making process

Cape Smokey Elementary School Advisory Council (SAC) will make decisions in the following ways:

• All decisions will be made by consensus where possible.

• If a consensus cannot be reached, the decision will be delayed until the next meeting, which will occur within thirty days..

• If at that meeting a consensus cannot be reached, a majority vote is required of the quorum present for the proposal to be approved.

• If there is a timeline within which a decision must be reached, an emergency meeting may be called by the chair of the (SAC) prior to the deadline.

• A quorum will be established when the meeting is called to order. A quorum will consist of a minimum of 50% + one  of the voting members of the SAC and shall include a minimum of one member from each representative group. Representative groups consist of parents/guardians, staff, students, and  community member.

• In addition, the principal or designate shall be present. 

School advisory council commitments

Cape Smokey Elementary School Advisory Council will be responsible for:

• providing all SAC members with a voice in decision-making

• working in collaboration with the principal and participating in efforts to improve student achievement and student and community well-being by receiving information on the school improvement plan and monitoring progress and improvements under the plan

• advising the principal and the regional center on:  developing policies that promote student achievement and safe and inclusive schools; school practices and initiatives; communication among the school, parents and community; any matters that are referred to the school advisory council by the principal, the regional center or the Minister

• developing strategies to improve and support the extracurricular programs and special projects of the school

• maintaining effective communication with parents/guardians by holding regular public meetings and making copies of agendas and minutes available upon request

• advising the principal and staff on any matters that are referred to the school advisory council by the principal, the regional centre or the Minister

• in accordance with the terms of the school advisory council agreement, determining priorities for spending the funds allocated to support the mandate of the school advisory council

• advising the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development or the Provincial Advisory Council on policy and other educational matters.

• preparing an annual report in the form and containing the information determined by the Minister.

Cape Breton Victoria Regional Centre for Education commitments

CBVRCE will provide the following support to Cape Smokey Elementary School Council:

• orientation and in-service sessions for council members, and workshops on special topics upon request

• a facilitator to assist the school council as required

• feedback to the council on the school improvement plan and the annual report

• opportunities to give input on regional center for education policies and procedures, initiatives, and communication

• meetings between the regional executive director of education or designate and the school advisory council upon request

• copies of policies via the CBVRCE’s website

• responding to advice/questions from the school advisory council

• mediation services when there is unresolved conflict between the school advisory council and the principal

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development commitments

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will support Cape Smokey Elementary School Advisory Council by:

• developing educational materials to assist school advisory councils in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities

• providing opportunities to give input on provincial policies and any other matters referred to the SAC by the Minister

• providing mediation when there is unresolved conflict between the school advisory council and the regional center for education

• organizing and/or supporting professional development opportunities for council members

• providing funds to support the mandate of the school advisory council