PACT Charter School

Original Creation Date: October 2009
Last Approved By: PACT Charter School Board of Directors
Last Approved Date: January 5, 2023
Year Reviewed: 2022-2023

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

The primary purpose of the District Advisory Committee (DAC) is to ensure active community participation in all phases of planning and to improve the instruction and curriculum affecting state and local academic standards.

Develop and implement strategies and education effectiveness practices to improve instruction, curriculum, cultural competencies, cultural awareness, cross-cultural communication, and student achievement at the school site.

This will be done by working with the administration, staff, and the committees of the School Board to analyze data and recommend rigorous academic standards as student achievement goals for school improvement. (Reference MN Statute 120B.11, Subd 3 (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=120b.11#stat.120B.11.3)

MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA

The DAC will consist of a voting membership, including six appointed parents, three appointed faculty or staff members representing the Elementary and Secondary programs, one appointed Secondary student, one appointed community member, and the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Coordinator. The Elementary Principal, the Secondary Principal, and one Board member will be non-voting advisors. The School Board will confirm the appointments of this committee. Each term lasts two school years (June to June), and there is no limit to the number of terms an individual can be appointed. Terms will be staggered. Vacancies will be filled by board appointment for the duration of the vacant term. 

Decisions require a quorum to be present. A quorum for the DAC comprises a simple majority of members, and at least one should be a parent. All appointed members have immediate voting rights upon Board approval.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

The DAC will report directly to the PACT School Board of Directors and work collaboratively toward school improvement goals.

MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Each member is responsible for being familiar with PACT policies and philosophies pertinent to the program.
2. All members have the responsibility to be informed on those items that directly apply to the DAC through regular attendance and reading the minutes/notes from each meeting.
3. The committee shall elect the chair and vice-chair of the DAC in spring of each year.
4. The chair will set the agenda and communicate with the administration, review meeting minutes of the meetings, and work with committee members to ensure the confidentiality of all survey information.
5. The vice-chair will fill the chair role in the absence of the chair. 
6. The chair or vice-chair will keep minutes for the meeting when the clerk is unavailable. They will also identify action points from each meeting.
   
   

COMMITTEE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Activate community participation in all planning stages for the World’s Best Workforce through Climate Survey, Title I Plan annual approval, literacy plan, curriculum approval, course rotation and new courses in secondary programming, the curriculum review cycle, recommending rigorous course offerings aligned to the MN academic standards, and setting student achievement goals.The DAC will maintain and recommend approval of such necessary policies to complete the committee’s tasks. Such policies shall be subject to School Board of Director approval.
2. The DAC will work with the administration to request funds to support school improvement.
3. Minutes will be taken of all meetings delineating major topics, discussions, and action points.
4. Meeting dates will be scheduled to best align with the School Board of Director agenda creation and a schedule that works best for all members. 
5. The DAC will post their agendas a minimum of 48 hours before any meeting and indicate which items will require a vote at the meeting.
6. Voting: A majority vote will determine all decisions made within DAC. Each committee member will carry one vote.