Totem Middle School School
Leadership Team Charter
Adopted: December 16, 1999

Mission:

The TotemMiddle School’s mission is to honor all students while developing a safe and respectful environment where all students can learn: The Totem Learning Community will expect more, encourage more, and achieve more.

Purpose:

To develop, monitor and evaluate the Learning Plan for Totem Middle School. The Learning Plan contains the goals of the school designed to improve student learning and will reflect the FWSD strategic plan and goals therein.

Membership Composition:

5 - Community/parent members – Five selected on a volunteer basis and preferably are representing all feeder elementary schools to Totem. If an equal representation cannot be achieved, interested parents will be randomly selected from those who have applied for membership. Notification of membership openings shall be made through the PTSA, school newsletter, and any school function.

5 - Staff members with representation as follows:

1 - Special Education
1 - Classified Staff
1 - 6th Grade Team
1 - 7th Grade Team
1 - 8th Grade Team

1 - Principal

1 - Assistant Principal

Term:

Community/parent members will serve a two-year term. However, a community/parent member may resubmit their names after their term has expired. Priority will be given to those who have not served. Staff members will be selected yearly. Term will begin at the start of school.

Selection:

Names will be submitted to the Leadership Team and a drawing will be conducted to fill open parent/community positions. Teams will decide on their representative. A request for volunteer from the Special Education Department and Classified Personnel will be made.

Areas of Governance:

The Leadership Team shall help in writing, monitoring, and evaluating the Learning Plan. In addition, they may act as advisors on any project for which the principal requests assistance. Members may suggest projects to the principal.

Procedures:

The meeting schedule will be determined in September of each year. Meetings will be scheduled once a month during the school year. The principal as needed will schedule emergency meetings. Meetings will not exceed 90 minutes unless planned for ahead of time. The principal will be responsible for facilitating and keeping minutes. The facilitator/principal will prepare the agenda. A folder, accessible to the staff and community to submit items for the agendas will be kept in the SLT binder in the school office. Visitors will have the opportunity to make brief presentations. These must be scheduled with the principal.

Decision-Making Process:

It is the goal of the School Leadership Team top reach consensus when making decisions. In order to make a decision, two-thirds majority. Members must be present to vote.

"Fist to Five" will be used to poll the members while working towards consensus. The principal will be accountable for the final decision.

"Fist to Five"

 

Fist – Absolutely Not
Three Fingers – Neutral
Five Fingers – Total Agreement

The SLT charter may be amended by a unanimous vote of the members.

Communication:

SLT members will be responsible for regular communication with their broader constituencies. The Team and its members may utilize e-mail, school and district newsletters, local newspapers, special bulletins, flyers, meetings, and other means appropriate towards this end. In addition, an SLT binder, complete with minutes will be kept in an easily accessible location in the school office.

Accountability:

A written report will be completed by the SLT evaluating the impact of the recommendations/decisions on student growth and learning and submitted to the Board of Directors at the end of each school year. This report will contain the information as outlined by School Board regulation 6170.0.