Greenfield High School – About School Council
What is a school council and why is it required?
A school council is a representative school-building-based committee composed of the principal, parents, teachers, community members, and, at the grade 9 to 12 level, students. School councils are required to be established by each school pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 59C.
School councils promote the educational benefits of site-based decision-making in every school in Massachusetts. With teachers, parents, and community members working together, the school council supports school-based planning and goal-setting for school improvements. Expanded school community participation in school improvement provides the school with different, mutually complementary perspectives on its goals and improvements.
What do school councils do? What are their main areas of responsibility?
The primary responsibility of the school council is to advise and assist the Principal with the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and to help develop any projects arising out of the SIP that the Principal identifies as beneficial to the successful functioning and development of the school.
The school council meets each month during the academic year. As mandated by the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, school council meetings are open to the public who are invited to attend and speak before the council regarding school-wide issues only. The council does not address any issues regarding individual students and therefore any public address regarding any individual student is not deemed appropriate and will not be heard.
