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CJSHS Shared Decision Making Team

Definition

 

A process in which all members of the education community (stakeholders) at the school level collaborate in identifying problems, defining goals, formulating policy, and implementing programs by consensus.

 

Mission Statement

The shared decision making team will strive to improve academic performance, create educational possibilities for students and enhance the quality of life for the entire Cortland Junior-Senior High School community by using the consensus process in developing realistic strategies to address the challenges communicated to the group.

Stakeholders

Any person or group with an interest and investment in the success of students, the schools, and/or the system.

Ground Rules

  • Everyone participates
  • Display a positive, non-judgmental attitude
  • Adhere to established meeting times, dates and agendas.
  • At the start of the school year, or as needed, the following roles will be filled: facilitator, recorder (secretary), time keeper.
  • Decisions will be made through consensus when a quorum of 2/3 of the total membership is present.

Meeting Times

The Cortland Junior-Senior High Shared Decision Making Team will meet the first Thursday of each month in the Cortland Jr.-Sr. High School Library Media Center (LMC) from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 

2006-2007 Dates

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Thursday, November 4, 2007

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Goals
  • Continue building organizational structure by establishing web page for team and electronic discussion group for team members to communicate with
  • Continue discussions to generate more specific ideas that improve the school environment and lead to increased student performance
  • Revisit goal of increasing parent support and involvement.

Team Roles/Responsibilities

 

Leaders:      Mac Knight, Steve Woodard

  • directs and focuses the team on task
  • helps the team to achieve the Desired Outcome
  • coordinates with other roles

 

Facilitators:  Theresa Pierce, Luann Rottman

  • helps team follow the process
  • assists in building and maintaining productive climate and open   communication
  • uses focus checks
  • reviews tools and techniques

 

Recorder/Minute Taker:  Marsha Petaja, Alicia Zupanzic

  • captures and documents the team’s output during session
  • records/summarizes the team’s output and distributes to members within 48 hours.

 

Time Keeper:  selected at each meeting

  • tracks time and offers ongoing alerts
  • (usually, time is called at half intervals or 5 minutes before end of mtg.)

Consensus

A systemic process used by a group to make decisions which everyone can support.  A consensus decision has been reached when:

           

    • all group members agree to support the decision though it may not be everyone’s first choice
    • everyone is committed to the decision as if it were the first choice of all group member
 
    • each participant agrees that he or she has had an equal opportunity to influence the Decision, and
    • no one raises an objection when the group leader calls for consensus approval of the action

Frequently Asked Questions

 

  •  Why the need for a SDMT and its’ purpose?
    • It is a State and School Board requirement identified in Policy 4280 (adopted in 1994, revised in 1995 and 1998)
    • Provide active participation by all stakeholders in the learning community (parents, staff, students, and administrators)
    • Provide an opportunity to discuss and decide on issues/topics to improve educational achievement  for all students.

 

  • What decisions are there to be made?
    • Decisions are made by consensus and must represent 2/3 of membership.
    • Topics may include but not limited to:
      • Atmosphere/Climate Environment
      • Communication
      • Community Relations
      • Curriculum and Programs (character education)
      • Health and Wellness
      • Instruction
      • Rights and Responsibilities (parent, student, staff)
      • School Day Scheduling
      • Staffing
      • Student activities
      • Student assessment/grade reporting method and frequency
      • Student conduct/Code of conduct
      • Student Privileges
  • Who are the members of the SDMT and what is the selection process?
    • Administrator                 (selected by Administrative group)
    • Instructional Staff         (selected by Cortland United Teachers in bldg.)
    • Non-Instructional Staff             (selected by contractual bargaining unit)
    • Parent                 (selected by Parent Group in bldg.)
    • Support Staff                 (selected by Support Staff in bldg.)
    • Student             (selected by volunteers of each class by class officers)
    • Business Community              (selected by Building Team)
    • Curriculum Leader/Department Chair          (selected by Curriculum Leader/Department Chairs)
    • Higher Education        (selected by Building Team)