In an effort to create schools that are responsive to the needs of its students, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) utilize a form of governance called Site-Based Management. The concept allows those closest to the school, such as the faculty, parents, staff and students, to participate in making educational decisions about their school. The primary structure for making those decisions is the School Improvement Team (SIT), which is a state-mandated group in each school, the members of which are elected annually by staff and parents. The McDougle Elementary School (MES) Improvement Team (SIT) is made up of six MES parents, 5 staff members, and the school principal. Members are elected, serve a two-year term, and attend monthly meetings.
The North Carolina General Assembly requires schools across the state to write a School Improvement Plan (SIP). The SIP outlines goals to strengthen student performances, and strategies for reaching these goals. Each spring, all schools in the CHCCS district report on their progress toward their School Improvement Plan goals. The SIT reviews materials to help develop the plan and status reports.
In addition to the development of the School Improvement Plan, the SIT also:
approves the annual capital and operational budget requests from MES to the district and school board;
functions as an advisory group to the school leadership team and may provide input on issues such as school climate, safety, programs, and philosophy;
solicits input from our school community and hears concerns of our constituents about school programs. Information is presented to the MES leadership team;
serves with other SIT’s in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School system as counsel to the district and the Board of Education; and
attends or monitors school board meetings to advocate for MES and report back to the school on issues that affect our school.
The SIT cannot endorse political candidates, but can advocate for MES at a local, state, and national level.