Per FCB-R, there is a role for a school-based committee in receiving and responding to Jeffco staff’s recommendations for closures. FCB-R provides, in part, that upon the release of the initial recommendation, a committee composed of three residents from each school recommended for closure will review the recommendation. The following structure is proposed for each FCB Committee:
Membership
Each FCB Committee should include at least four and up to seven members of the school community. At a minimum, the Committee should include:
- A parent member of the School Accountability Committee (SAC)
- A school staff member of the School Accountability Committee (SAC)
- The school principal or their designee from the closing school
- The school principal or their designee from the receiving school
Additionally, the FCB Committee should consider the inclusion of:
- A representative of a community-based organization that supports the school or a school volunteer who lives in the school boundary
- A classified staff member from the closing school
- A parent member of the School Accountability Committee (SAC) from the receiving school
In selecting members for the FCB Committee, leaders should place a high priority on ensuring that the diversity of the Committee membership reflects the school community that it serves including trends or shifts in community populations.
Role of the FCB Committee
FCB Committees are asked to take on the following task while approaching the task through the lens of their school’s unique community and context.
Supporting Community Engagement: Jeffco prepares a range of opportunities for families and staff members to learn more about the school consolidation process. Jeffco will seek community input on specific types of support that will help limit disruptions and result in a smooth overall transition. Included in this are extensive opportunities for families to raise areas or topics that they would like the district to consider or address as part of the transition planning. These opportunities include in-person meetings and online opportunities for input. The FCB Committee is asked to help spread awareness of these opportunities to maximize participation.
School Transition Plans: Each FCB Committee will be asked to work with district partners to compile a document that outlines the challenges and opportunities with the recommended consolidation using input received from communities. This document will be provided directly to the superintendent and will be made available to the Board of Education.