Protect LSC Authority To Select Principals
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The LSC at Whitney Young has worked diligently to see that the funds provided by CPS are used for the best interest of the students and in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.
I am a newly-elected LSC member (community representative)and have observed the LSC in the past and spoken with other LSC members both parents and community representatives. I believe that the LSCs foster parent involvement in the schools--really key to children's success--and create open dialog that is important in the life of a school. Mr. Williams, strengthening the LSCs with better training--and with training of principals on working effectively in concert with LSCs on behalf of children is the policy you should advocate.
Since the LSC has been implemented, my school has seen not only an increase in enrollment, but it also has a partnership with the community.
The LSC has selected a great principal who lead the teachers to higher standards and higher student scores.
I am an LSC member at Drummond School. Drummond School selected its own principal in 2007 in a very successful, community enhancing process. The buy-in from parents, community and teachers helped our new principal elect get off to a great start!
Our LSC has helped coordinate fundraising efforts, promote an after-school program and started a blog for school posts.
Our much-loved principal announced in April 2007 that she had been recruited by another school and was resigning. Our LSC and principal selection committee (which included all members of the LSC, plus three additional parents, two additional teachers, and three other school staff members) worked very hard for two months, and just after the school year ended we were able to vote unanimously to offer a contract to our new principal. I am very proud of our efficient, inclusive, ethical process. The response of students, parents, staff and community members to our new principal has been overwhelmingly positive- she has pulled us all together with concrete activities to strengthen both instruction and the school's sense of community.
We have consistently chosen to use our discretionary funds to purchase additonal classroom teachers to keep class sizes below the standard CPS size (we strive for a maximum of 25 students per class). We have also kept the focus of our School Improvement Plan and budget on maintaining our excellent fine and performing arts program, and on continuing staff development and purchase of appropriate materials to improve curriculum and instruction. LSC members have also conducted extensive outreach and marketing activities to make parents aware of what our school has to offer, in a succesful effort to increase enrollment and thereby stabilize our funding.
Was a great experience to be part of the Principal selection process in our LSC, we had a very short time and many great candidates. We worked very hard and together we accomplished to find, so far, the perfect match for our school a Principal that cares about our children's education, staff, LSC, parents and the local community.
We have made parents more aware of the LSC importance in our school and as of now we have a complete LSC and with many new candidates running for the next elections.
The LSC selected a wonderful and effective and energetic new principal for Agassiz elementary school at the end of last year. They worked carefully and responsibly under extreme time constraints to adhere to the required procedures and utilize an inclusive and collaborative process to make the important decision. Parental input was paramount, and the voice and desires of the parents were heard for the best interests of the children. I was so impressed with the number of applicants reviewed and the systematic way in which the decision-making process was executed. The candidate selected was familiar with the school, had excellent background, and spoke to the primary concerns and objectives of the involved parents and community people who care so much about Agassiz. The values and priorities of the LSC (its commitment to diversity, quality education, fine and performing arts, and small class size) could be recognized and carried forward by selecting the candidate who came best prepared and most willing to take on the mandate. This was a strong and important example of how the LSC principal selection process is an integral part of successful public school operations for CPS and its families.
By working hand-in-hand with the principal to make a better school! This has included devising ways to uphold the priorities of preserving a broad and diverse student population, maintaining smaller class sizes, integrating fine and performing arts, and bringing innovative design to classroom configurations and teaching methodology. It has also included selecting a new principal who fits well with the school and its community. It has also included re-working what the parent support organizations look like and how they function. Finally, it has collaborated with the principal to bring tuition-based pre-K to Agassiz, a very positive addition. These LSC activities have been most helpful to establish better communication, increase parental involvement, improve the efficiency of fund raising efforts, and lift the overall performance of the school as a center of learning.
At Gallistel, our former principle was performing unsatisfactory. We were able to select an outstanding principle by the name of Mr. Patrick MacMahon who has turned the school around.
We are partners in the process of educating our children. Without the LSC, parents and the community become voiceless. This must not be allowed to happen.
I'm not on the LSC as of now but I'm running for parent on the LSC. I do support what the LSC has in part of the school and the children's education as well as the role of the principal.
The LSC at the school where my children attend is not all there. They do have their differences but thank god there is an election coming up this year and hopefully we get a LSC that will be willing to work together and come up with solutions in proving the school somehow.
What is your principal selection success story?
What has your LSC done to improve your school? work closely with the principal and staff, listen to their needs.
I believe that the selection process was a difficult one but a very successful one. The principal chosen has an open door policy to address concerns brought by teachers parents and community. The childrens best interest is always at heart. She knows student by name, that awesome when you have about 1100 students.
Our scores are @ the 70th percentile and creep up every year we have never been on probation @ Jose De Diego Community Academy, we very carefully invest our monies into our childrens education. We have kept our children ahead and look for higher advancement every year.
I am not a member of the LSC but am supportive of their leadership and involvement in our local schools.
We must continue our Local School Councils so that parents and community have a direct input in the education of our children.
Not only am I on the LSC but I am facilitator for LSC's and I do get to see many principal selections. Many have been for the best of the school. But there are the ones where politics are involved and they will tell an LSC who they want in that position. Whether they are good for the job or not. In those situations it really hurts because the adults are looking out for themselves and not the children. As facilitators we can only advise LSC's, where as other people tell them what to do. Please think for the children for once Rufus Williams. We the parents know what we want for our children, managers at the hotel wouldn't even care. Do the right thing and work with us not against us for our children and grand children are not at fault for your unability to make decisions for yourself. They have a voice you should learn to listen. Now close your eyes and imagine a school were a principal did what ever they wanted when they wanted and how they wanted and that principal was a drunk and a drug user but could not be touch because of his political connections and he didn't care for the children and wouldn't listen to parents thoughts and wants for the school. NOW IMAGINE YOUR CHILDREN IN THIS SCHOOL. HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH IT? WHO WOULD YOU TURN TO FOR HELP? OOPS SORRY THERE IS NO LSC TO HEAR YOU OUT AND HOLD THE PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABLE.
We have not only taken training every year but it has been with our principal. And we are able to ask questions and bring parent concerns to the table without having to worry if my child will be harrassed for her mother speaking out. Our principal will listen and work with us on any idea we feel will improve our school. Now this is a super star principal who loves his job. We will continue to improve our school with the whole LSC and the principal as a team at a school. Not a manager at a holel.
Mr Williams I am pleading to you not to take our rights for Principal selection. I know that this process works. When politics is kept out and the LSC has been properly trained the school is made stronger. They are able to make a confident selection of a Principal. With this process we are able to ensure that the best will always be the goal for the students. We will have the confidence to hold that Principal accountable. State Representative Golar Thank you for your continued support with the LSC s Principal selection process. I hope you will continue promoting the importance to the state’s Education committee.
At our school we have selected a Principal that puts the students above everything. He sets expectations for the students and the staff. He is fair to everyone. When he started are test scores were 30% at or above ratings. Five years later we are 70% at or above. When all politics are put aside the LSC is able to make the best selection for their students. When he started he made sure that all the staff was placed according to their qualifications. We the LSC are always looking at our budget to be sure that the students are getting everything they need to succeed. We are always checking to be sure that the SIPAAA is being followed. Our students know him and he knows the 1400+. He is the only principal I know that can bring to a CIP meeting 3 years in a row 400 to 600 parents, students, community and Grandparents to a meeting pleading for an environment to enhance the Students learning. He is always fighting for what our students need. And that their needs are meet.
Hopp!
Yes!
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