Manual addresses Advisory School Councils (ASC), which require half of its members to represent families and the community, and which supports the principal with school-based decision making.

A.  Each public school shall create an advisory “school council” to assist the school principal with school-based decision-making and to involve parents in their children’s education.

B.  A school council shall be created and its membership elected in accordance with local school board rule. School council membership shall reflect an equitable balance between school employees and parents and community members. At least one community member shall represent the business community, if such person is available. The school principal may serve as chairman. The school principal shall be an active member of the school council.

C.  The school council shall:

• (1)  work with the school principal and give advice, consistent with state and school district rules and policies, on policies relating to instructional issues and curricula and on the public school’s proposed and actual budgets;
• (2)  develop creative ways to involve parents in the schools;
• (3)  where appropriate, coordinate with any existing work force development boards or vocational education advisory councils to connect students and school academic programs to business resources and opportunities; and
• (4)  serve as the champion for students in building community support for schools and encouraging greater community participation in the public schools.