What is School Site Council and Why Am I Voting For It?
Some schools vote for School Site Council (SSC) members at Back-to-School night, and if it’s your first back-to-school night, it is confusing! Here’s some info about School Site Council, why you’re voting, and why it matters.
What is a School Site Council?
The least complicated definition is that an SSC is a group of parents (and students at secondary schools) and teacher/staff representatives working with their principal to develop and monitor their school’s comprehensive School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA, pronounced “sip-sah”). The SPSA sets goals for improving student outcomes and directs how certain funds (such as Title I and state supplemental dollars) are spent at the school. Note: Sometimes “schoolsite” is written without the space. Sometimes the group is called “Site Council.”
What does an SSC do?
At each school, the SSC looks at the existing SPSA and how it is meeting the goals of the school site, then determines how to spend state and federal funding that is allocated to the site. During the school year, the Principal will share data related to the goals, providing an opportunity for the SSC to determine if and how the SPSA needs to be modified to meet certain needs or goals.
Who can be on an SSC?
SSC members will include, at minimum, ten members, including the school Principal, and equal numbers of school staff and the school community, usually parents. These members are voted by their own groups (staff elect staff members; parents elect school community members). Anyone may attend SSC meetings, as they are public meetings and must adhere to California Education Code.
Elections for School Community members are usually held at the beginning of the school year or the end of the school year. Since it’s hard to get a bunch of parents in one place at one time, some schools utilize Back to School night to collect SSC ballots.
What makes a good SSC member?
Someone who is interested in student academic achievement and how it can be improved for all students at your school site. Someone who enjoys analyzing student data and other information to give feedback to site administration on proposals for actions that will serve students and be funded with the SSC budget.
Where can I receive support as an SSC member?
The District Advisory Council (DAC) is a district-level group that supports and mentors SSCs from all school sites, as well as helps represent SSCs in their advocacy to the District.
Where can I learn more?
The California Department of Education Schoolsite Council page
The 2025 PUSD SSC member training presentation
Ed100’s Schoolsite Council blog post