EFFECTIVE SCHOOL COMMITTEE. An Effective School Committee (ESC) shall be established at each building to work on matters relating to the school. The number of teachers involved on the Effective School Committee (ESC) and the duration of their term shall be determined independently by the teaching staff at each building, with a minimum number of three (3) teachers and three (3) years being the maximum term. Once the number of teachers on the committee and the length of terms have been determined, teachers in the building will elect their representatives to serve on the ESC. This election will be conducted by the LEA building representative prior to June 1. An additional election may be held at the beginning of the following school year, if indicated by need or interest. All participation on the ESC will be voluntary. It is recognized that this process in no way limits participation on the ESC to exclude other parties with interest in the school. In reaching decisions, the ESC will use the concept of consensus. It is recognized that consensus is not defined as "rule of the majority." If a minority exists that cannot consent to what is proposed, then consensus has not been reached. It would be expected that discussion and clarification would continue on both sides of the issue until consensus is reached. Consensus on an issue does not imply that total approval has been reached or granted, but rather that all involved in making the decision can accept what is proposed. Leadership of the ESC will be determined yearly by consensus of the ESC. It is recommended that the leadership consist of a principal and teacher acting as chairs. It will be the function of the ESC chairperson(s), working with members of the ESC, to develop an agenda for the ESC meetings. It is agreed and understood that ESC meetings are open to all teachers when such meetings do not conflict with regular teaching assignments, and that the ESC will regularly communicate with the entire teaching staff. Yearly, each ESC shall have placed in its budget an amount as specified below for use in supporting implementation of school goals. Elementary: $500 per building Middle Level: $750 per building High School: $1,000
