Being an LSC member comes with a lot of responsibilities.
In over 450 schools, Local School Councils (LSCs) play a crucial role in determining the leadership of their schools, first and foremost by hiring great principals. They help principals set ambitious goals for their schools and hold school leaders accountable to ensure that community perspectives and priorities are represented.
Hiring a principal is an important—and intimidating—responsibility. This video takes Local School Council members through the process. Our hope is that it will help LSCs confidently lead their school communities through a principal transition, if the day ever comes.
When principals and LSCs work together, students succeed.
Haga clic aquí, para leer en español.
Resources for LSCs
These resources, available in English and Spanish, have been developed to help LSC members find a great principal for their school community. Click the resource or continue scrolling for more information below!
LSC Focus Group
Bringing together LSC members to create solutions for schools.
The Fund’s LSC Focus Group brings together a diverse group of LSC members from across the city of Chicago to advise on and co-create resources that support LSCs in their important work. During the 2019-20 school year, 15 LSC members are participating in the focus group. Members have helped The Fund develop a video on the principal hiring process and a number of resources, including a school culture and climate assessment and a principal interview guide. The Focus Group meets four times throughout the school year; all active LSC members are welcome to join, and food and parking are provided. For their participation, LSC members receive a DonorsChoose card to use at their school.
Upcoming meetings: To be announced.
Virtual Hiring Guide
Communication Toolkit
Communication is the key to building strong relationships. This toolkit, created with the 2020-21 LSC Focus Group, provides guides and suggestions for LSC members who want to strengthen communication with their LSC and the broader school community. The toolkit includes a set of best practices, tips on how to create language-inclusive meetings, and a goal-setting worksheet.
Community Engagement Process
LSC members often serve as a bridge between a school and its community. This culture and climate assessment (English and Spanish) and facilitation guide (English and Spanish) were adapted by a Westinghouse LSC member. This process is designed to bring together school staff, students, parents, and caretakers to talk about ways to create a more welcoming and nurturing school environment. It can also be used to help spark a discussion about a school community’s priorities when hiring a new principal.
Principal Resume Rubric
This template (English and Spanish) is based on a rubric designed by the Local School Council at Nettelhorst Elementary. It is intended to help LSCs review each candidate’s resume. The LSC and hiring committee should first establish the qualifications they are looking for in a principal and then modify this template based on that discussion. A rubric should be completed for each candidate to aid in a fair evaluation process.
Candidate Forum Plan
If LSC members choose to hold a candidate forum before selecting a principal, this template (English and Spanish) can be passed out to attendees to help them determine which candidate they believe is best for the role. The template was created by a Nettelhorst LSC member and used during the school’s principal hiring process. This template could also be adapted for a number of uses, such as a school staff forum.