Skyline Spartans Logo
Skyline High School

Administration stripe Administration - Decision Making Policy
spacer  
Attendance Contact Us Course Catalog Decision Making School Calendar Site Council Staff Directory Policies
Administration Team:

 

 
Philosophy:

Every decision will be made solely on the basis of how and to what extent it will positively influence student learning. The goal in decision making is to reach consensus and to have total agreement and support on all major decisions. If consensus cannot be reached, a written vote will be taken to allow the staff to move forward with a decision. In this case it remains the expectation that all staff support the outcome of the vote on a decision.

Purpose:

The purposes of the decision making policy are: to create ownership and support for building/classroom issues, to provide opportunity for all to participate in the decision making process, to meet contractual language, and to create an environment where decisions will be supported, not sabotaged by staff not agreeing with the decision.

Process and Procedures:

Step 1: Anyone can call for a group decision at anytime. The staff member should make the request known to the principal or to his/her department chairperson. The issue will be discussed at the next scheduled Leadership Academy meeting.
Step 2: Information to be discussed at the staff meeting will be distributed prior to the staff meeting to allow for discussion and information gathering. The Leadership Academy will decide the appropriate staff to include. If a staff member is unable to represent him/herself, other appropriate representation is allowed.
Step 3: Consensus is the expected norm. (Consensus is defined as a condition in a group in which every member is willing to “go along” and support the decision whether or not he/she preferred it because it was arrived at in an open and fair manner.)
  1. When a decision is reached through consensus, the leader has the responsibility to confirm consensus by stating, “We appear to have a consensus. Tell me now if we do not.”
  2. At this point, a dissenting member must raise his/her point of objection, if he/she has not already done so. If the dissenting member is not pleased with the decision or is likely to speak against it outside the group, the issue must be raised with the group.
  3. It is the responsibility of every member to listen and try to understand the dissenting member’s objection. Further discussion can ensue.
  4. Leader moves back to check for consensus. If yes, the decision is decided. If no, proceed to Step 4.
Step 4: If consensus is not reached at this point, a vote will be taken within two days of the staff meeting.
  1. Ballots will be available from the department chairs.
  2. Department chairs will collect those votes and record that the staff member has voted.
  3. The record and votes will be submitted by the department chairs to the administration team who will tally and report the results.
  4. 66% of those voting, with all having the opportunity to vote, will pass a motion.
 
Step 5: If the group feels it is appropriate, a committee could be formed to further investigate the issue prior to a vote. At that time, an appropriate timeline will be established for reporting to the staff at large.
 

Minutes:

Minutes will be kept of all staff meetings so there is an official record of decisions and actions. In addition, the copy of the minutes will be e-mailed to all staff following the meeting. This note taking process will inform staff who are not in attendance and allow us to have a record of decisions that are made.