Power To Parents School Councils Get Parents Into Decision-Making Loop For Budge, Personnel Actions

For Dave Minard, involvement in his daughter’s school used to mean taking tickets at Indian Trail Elementary’s school carnival or participating in an advisory group.

When her son was at Woodridge Elementary, Pam Dixson sold calendars and organized spaghetti dinners.

But in the changing definition of “parent involvement,” Minard and Dixson now cast votes alongside teachers and principals on such school business as budgets and changes to the class schedules.

Minard, a banker, even helped North Central High School administrators interview job candidates, giving his opinion on the applicants.

“Parents have always wanted to have influence and say,” said Dixson, whose son is now a senior at Shadle Park High School. “This is a good turn of events.” Parents have always had the power to enact change in public schools, mostly through school board elections. But until now, parent involvement generally has been limited to fund-raising or in-class volunteer roles.

Dixson, Minard and dozens of other parents in School District 81 schools have found a new role through “site-based councils.”

Each District 81 school is starting a decision-making council of teachers, administrators, parents and, sometimes, local business people and students.

At most schools, the councils have power to change school budgets and create new programs. A few, as at Glover Middle School and North Central High School, are including parents in employee interviews, although hiring decisions still ultimately rest with the district.

Each school council has interpreted its charge a bit differently. Most councils are still in infancy, searching for a definition to their mission.

But several North Side schools already have written charters, defined purpose statements and begun tackling substantive issues.

At North Central and Shadle Park high schools, for example, councils are researching changes to the structure of the school day.

Regardless of the progress, the very creation of the councils marks a significant philosophical change for school administration. Principals and district administrators usually have made decisions with little outside input, let alone in conjunction with parents.

“Traditionally, classrooms have been more closed and disconnected and private than now,” said Cynthia Lambarth, associate superintendent for District 81. “The doors have been closed over the last couple of decades probably more than has been appropriate.”

The new policy is meant to be mutually beneficial. Parents get a hand in running the schools their children attend, and schools get the energy and fresh perspective of people who have a stake in their success.

Dr. Dan Lattin, a physician whose son is a sophomore at North Central, says he is trying to help the school understand his goals.

“My personal feeling is that education is the primary responsibility of the parent,” said Lattin. “That is not a responsibility that can be delegated to the teacher.

“As a parent, you can tell teachers or administration what you want for your student,” he said.

So far, parents have offered several fresh ideas.

Rogers High School parent Ruth Dearing has suggested partnerships with local elementary schools where younger students would be matched up with their high school heroes, such as athletes, student body leaders or actors.

Opening doors to the decision-making process has forced some schools into changes that might not have happened.

Dixson and other Shadle Park parents requested a spring open house not required under union contract. Teachers at the school voted on and approved the idea last spring.

The councils have also brought in strong opinions.

Minard is concerned about what he calls “accountability” in personnel decisions.

“The only way you can get rid of a teacher is when they put their hands in the wrong place,” said Minard, adding that he is very supportive of North Central’s staff. “It’s almost like indirect tenure.”

The greater role for parents grew out of a sweeping public school reform bill approved by the state Legislature in 1992.

The Spokane teacher’s union has been a force in pushing District 81 into enacting change faster than other districts in the area. As a result, the district recently hired a consultant out of the fund to help elementary schools set up effective site-based councils.

Other North Side districts are beginning similar councils, but District 81, in part because of the union’s involvement, is further along.

Although the new role for parents is encouraged, educators are careful to note that some decisions still should be made by professionals.

“Sometimes parents and students get that line confused,” said Jerry Hopkins, president of the union. “We are the practitioners and are willing to work with you. Hopefully, it’s an integrated approach.”

The line is still being formed in most schools. As the site councils begin hitting controversial issues, parent power could be tested.

One of the drawbacks of the councils is time. Because 20 people, rather than one or two, are involved in decisions, a simple request can take weeks.

Minard, drawing on his experience in the private sector, wants to see changes enacted quickly.

“It’s easy to complain,” Minard said. “But you can’t if you’re involved in the process.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo