A council functions as an advisory body, offering input to the local school principal.
The District believes family and community engagement is critical to student and district success. The establishment of Principal Advisory Councils is intended to provide a means by which parents, community members, and school staff can work together to create a better understanding of and mutual respect for each other’s concerns and share ideas for school improvement.
Council Membership
Two staff members (one being the current Teacher of the Year);
Two parents (one being the current PTSA president);
Two members of the community (one being a Partner in Education representative);
In the case of high schools, the president of the student government organization or senior class president.
Role of Parent Advisory Council
Parent Advisory Councils are intended to “bring communities and schools closer together in a spirit of cooperation to solve difficult educational problems, improve academic achievement, provide support for teachers and administrators, and bring parents into the school-based decision-making process.” (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-85) A school council functions as an advisory body, offering recommendations and assistance to the local school principal and, where appropriate, the Superintendent and Cobb County Board of Education (Board) on any matter relating to student achievement and school improvement. The management and control of the local schools shall be the responsibility of the Board.
Potential Parent Advisory Council Topics
- School calendar;
- School codes for conduct and dress;
- Curriculum, program goals, and priorities;
- The responses of the school to audits of the school as conducted by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement;
- Preparation and distribution to the community of a school profile which shall contain data as identified by the council to describe the academic performance, academic council deems appropriate;
- In the case of a vacancy in the position of school principal, the recommendation of characteristics of a person that would best fit the needs of the school;
- School budget priorities, including school capital improvement plans;
- School-community communication strategies;
- Methods of reporting to parents and communities other than through the school profile;
- Extracurricular activities in the school;
- School-based and community services;
- Community use of school facilities;
- Recommendations concerning school board policies;
- Receiving and reviewing reports from the school principal regarding progress toward the school's student achievement goals, including progress within specific grade levels and subject areas and by school personnel; and
- The method and specifications for the delivery of early intervention services.
Membership Criteria Each parent advisory council shall consist of a minimum of seven (7) representatives, to include the principal, two teachers, two parents/guardians and two business people who are also parents/guardians of students in the school.
Specific requirements regarding these members are as follows:
(1) A number of parents/guardians, at least two of whom shall be business persons, who are not employed at the school and so that such parents/guardians make up a majority of the council ;
(2) At least two certificated teachers, excluding any personnel employed in administrative positions, who are employed at least four of the six segments at the school;
(3) Other business persons may be elected by the council from community businesses;
(4) The principal; and
(5) Other members as specified in the council’s bylaws, such as, but not limited to, students, staff, and representatives of school related support organizations. Qualifying individuals selected under this provision may also count as parents/guardians for the purposes of Section (1) above.
The number of parent/guardian members must constitute a majority of council members.
The council chairperson shall be a parent.
See Bylaws below for additional information about council membership and election procedures.
