Advisory councils given larger roles to play

The province’s School Advisory Councils will be given more power to help students as they return to school this fall.

SACS are made up of the school principal, teachers, students, parents and community members. Each school in the province, or family of schools within smaller communities, can have a School Advisory Council. Starting this school year, each council will receive a budget of $5,000 plus $1 per child that will be used to support student achievement.

“These changes are exciting because they will improve communication between the province, the regions and the school communities,” said Bill Kaulbach, principal and council chairperson of Cobequid Educational Centre in a press release. “Now parents and students will have a voice in determining where and how these new funds can be used to further student achievement and well-being.”

SACS will also have more say in education policy development between themselves, the Department of Education and regional centres for education as well as the Conseil scolaire acadien.

Council members will have more professional development opportunities, a chance to attend regional and provincial meetings and more flexibility in a SAC’S makeup so their membership can represent a diverse school community. The changes are coming after a group of School Advisory Council chairs and principals were consulted earlier this year about what they would like to see as part of their enhanced role.

“The local voice continues to be critically important, especially as we renew our focus on ensuring all our students feel equally supported and welcomed into our education system,” said Minister of Education Zach Churchill in the same release. “We know every community is different and may have needs or concerns specific to their student population. We want to provide council members with more tools and opportunity to ensure that perspective is represented in decision making.”

Anyone interested in joining or forming a School Advisory Council should contact school principals to find out more or visit http://ednet.ns.ca /sac