A Community Schools Leadership Council is a collaborative decision-making body made up of students, families, staff, administrators, and community partners who work together to help guide the vision, priorities, and implementation of the Community Schools model. The council exists to ensure that decisions are not made by one individual or group alone, but instead through shared leadership, transparency, and meaningful community voice. By bringing together diverse perspectives and lived experiences, the council helps identify student and family needs, review priorities, strengthen partnerships, and support initiatives that promote equity, access, belonging, and student success.

The Leadership Council serves as a bridge between the school and the broader community, helping ensure that programs, supports, and resources align with the needs of the people the school serves. Through collaboration, discussion, and ongoing evaluation, the council helps build systems that are sustainable, student-centered, and community-driven. While the council plays an important role in reviewing ideas, proposals, and recommendations, decisions may also continue through district-level review and county oversight to ensure alignment with grant requirements, fiscal responsibility, and long-term impact. Ultimately, the purpose of a Community Schools Leadership Council is to create stronger relationships, increase shared ownership, and ensure that every stakeholder has a voice in shaping a more supportive and connected school community.