School Advisory Forum (SAF)

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  • The School Board policy requires that each school has a School Advisory Forum (SAF) composed of parents, high school students, teachers, community members, school administrators, non-instructional support staff, and community partners. The SAF provides an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss and recommend actions on a variety of school issues.

    The Advisory Forum aims to improve the education experience through communication, advocacy, and partnerships between Parents, Schools, and the Broward Country School District.

    • Mandated by School Board Policy
    • Main purpose is communication between stakeholders, the school, and the Area Advisory Council
    • Chair must be a parent

    SAF meets about 4 times a year and also visits the district Area Advisory Council. Among the topics discussed are: school safety, student's well-being, calendar start and end of the school year, and traffic issues. 

  • 2023-2024 SAF Agendas

    MAY AGENDA


    APRIL AGENDA


    MARCH AGENDA


    FEBRUARY AGENDA


    JANUARY AGENDA


    DECEMBER AGENDA


    NOVEMBER AGENDA


    OCTOBER AGENDA


    SEPTEMBER AGENDA

  • 2023-2024 SAF Minutes

    MAY


    APRIL


    MARCH MINUTES


    FEBRUARY MINUTES


    JANUARY MINUTES


    DECEMBER MINUTES


    NOVEMBER MINUTES


    OCTOBER MINUTES


    SEPTEMBER MINUTES

  • SAF Team Members

    Maxine Linton

  • Policies and By-Laws

    Everglades High School

    SCHOOL ADVISORY FORUM

    BYLAWS  

     

    ARTICLE I: NAME  

     

    The name of this forum shall be the Everglades High School Advisory Forum (SAF). This Forum operates under Broward County School Board Policy 1.3: School Advisory Forum.

     

    ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES

     

    Section 1: Mission Statement: The mission of the Everglades High School SAF is to foster and promote communication between its stakeholders, the school, and the Area Advisory Council. The SAF shall bring forth recommendations, concerns, and interests to and from their Area Advisory Council.

     

    Section 2: Duties:

    1. All duties will be advisory in nature, none of which will conflict with any of the powers and duties reserved by law, policy or administrative guidelines to the principal.

     

    1. Actively participate with the School Advisory Council in identifying the educational needs and priorities of the school.

     

    1. Actively participate with the principal in the preparation of the budget, and reviewing the budget- related concerns after each FTE count.

     

    1. Indicate awareness of the program and plans for the school by the signature of the chairperson on the budget when it is submitted for district budget preparation.

     

    1. Assist in the identification and coordination of the use of community resources to improve student achievement and school effectiveness.

     

    1. Address parent/community concerns; work with the administration to solve problems and to initiate desirable change.

     

    1. Assist in increasing/sustaining high levels of community support for the school.

     

     

    1. Assist in planning, developing and implementing parent/community programs and training activities.

     

    1. Participate in joint training opportunities with the School Advisory Council.

     

    1. In addition to individual School Advisory Forum meetings, hold semi-annual meetings jointly with the School Advisory Council.

     

    1. The School Advisory Forum shall use guidelines developed by the district, develop and adopt procedural bylaws, conduct meetings in accordance with the Florida Sunshine Laws, and conduct meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

     

    1. As an apolitical organization, officers and members are prohibited from using their titles and/or their positions to endorse, or give the impression of endorsing candidates for public office. In addition, public monies and/or materials may not be used to endorse candidates or further their campaigns.

     

     

    ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

    Section 1: Membership of the School Advisory Forum (SAF) shall be representative of the school community to include parents or guardians of the students enrolled in the school, students of the school, employees of the school, business partners of the school, community members and business people. Participation from all ethnic, religious, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds is welcome and encouraged.

     

    Section 2: Voting Rights: Meetings are open to all but voting rights are granted only to members who are parents or guardians of the students who are enrolled in the school or matriculating to the school the following year, students of the school, employees of the school and business partners of the school. To vote at any meeting, members must sign in and show proof that they meet the above voting membership requirements, if requested.

     

     

    ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS  

     

    Section 1: Officers. The officers shall be the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Recording Secretary. They should be elected annually at the final meeting of the school year but no later than the first meeting of the next school year.

     

    Section 2: Eligibility: The Chairperson and the Vice-chairperson shall be a parent or custodial guardian of a student who will be enrolled and attending the school during their term of service and shall not be employed by the School Board of Broward County at the school where they will serve.

     

    Section 3: Term of Office: Elected Officers shall serve a period of one year or until their successors have been elected. They may be re-elected to that office for four consecutive terms.

     

    Section 4: Election of Officers: Nominations shall be taken in accordance with Article V, Section 2. The election shall be by a written and signed ballot when there is more than one candidate for any office. The ballots will be counted by a member of School Administration, a member of the Nominating Committee and a voting member of the Advisory Forum who is not on the ballot.

     

    Section 5: Chairperson Duties. The Chairperson shall have the following duties:

     

    1. Preside at all the Everglades High School SAF meetings;

     

    1. Sign all correspondence as well as, distribute all correspondence to the elected officers of the Everglades High School SAF;

     

    1. Attend all Area Advisory Meetings

     

    1. Attend the School Advisory Council meetings as a voting member or appoint a permanent designee to attend the meetings;

     

    1. Act in a professional, prompt and organized manner at all times and,

     

    1. Represent the majority opinion of the Everglades High School SAF.

     

     

     

    Section 6: Vice-Chairperson Duties. The Vice-Chairperson shall have the following duties:

     

    1. Assume all the duties of the Chairperson in the event that s/he becomes incapacitated, unavailable, or must step down;

     

    1. Assist the Chairperson in performing his/her duties;

     

    1. Act in a professional, prompt and organized manner at all times.

     

     

     

    Section 7: Recording Secretary Duties. The Recording Secretary shall have the following duties:

     

    1. Ensure the recording of minutes at each Everglades High School SAF.

     

    1. Present the minutes at the next Everglades High School SAF meeting for review.

     

    1. Retain copies of all minutes of any Everglades High School SAF meetings and committees.

     

    1. Transmit the approved Everglades High School SAF minutes to the Principal and to such other persons as the Forum may direct. Retain copies of all the Everglades High School SAF correspondences, chairperson’s reports, and meeting/committee reports

     

     

     

     

    ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES

     

    Section 1: The Chairperson will create such committees as may be required to promote the objectives of the Everglades High School SAF. Once formed the committee members shall elect a Chairperson.

     

    Section 2: Nominating Committee: The Chairperson will appoint a Nominating Committee at the general meeting no later than March. The Committee will consist of at least three members and always have an uneven number of members. At least one officer of the SAF shall serve on the Nominating Committee. The committee will elect a chairperson. The purpose of the Nominating Committee shall be to nominate one person to fill each elected position and to present this slate of officers at the general meeting where elections will take place. Additional nominations may be made from the floor when the elections are held. The Committee shall function according to Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

     

    Section 3: Each Committee Chair shall have the duty to update the Everglades High School SAF, as necessary, at the monthly general meeting.

     

    ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS  

     

    Section 1: General Meetings: Everglades High School SAF shall meet regularly with the time, date, and place of future meetings decided by the Everglades High School SAF with the understanding that all meetings will be held in places that are easily accessible to the public. Notification of all regular meetings shall be included in the minutes and announced per Florida Sunshine State law.

     

    The Everglades High School SAF shall meet at least twice a year with the Everglades High School  School Advisory Council with the time, date, and place of meeting to be determined by mutual agreement of the SAC and SAF. Notification of all special meetings shall be included in the minutes and announced per Florida Sunshine State law.

     

    Section 2: Special Meetings:

     

    a. A special meeting may be called when it is deemed necessary to conduct the business of the forum. The Chairperson or a majority vote of the membership may call special meetings. Notification of all special meetings shall be included in the minutes and announced per Florida Sunshine State law.

    ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

     

    These bylaws of the Everglades High School SAF may be amended at any regular meeting by a two/thirds affirmative vote of those eligible voters in attendance, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous meeting. Any amendment must conform to the Broward County School Board Policy for School Advisory Forums; Policy 1.3.

     

    ARTICLE VIII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

     

    The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the Everglades High School Advisory Forum.

     

     

    Adopted

    9/26/2023

  • What is the School Advisory Forum (SAF)

    Every school has an advisory forum, which acts as a proactive group that addresses various educational issues. Their ideas and concerns are forwarded to district advisories, which meet regularly with key staff and the superintendent.  Advisories do outstanding work on behalf of the schools.

    • School Advisory Forum (SAF) is open to all members of the school and community.
    • No elections or dues are necessary to become a member.
    • Addresses parent /community concerns; works with administration to solve problems and initiate desired changes.
    • Plans, develops, and implements parent/community programs and training activities.
    • Identifies and coordinates the use of community resources to improve student achievement and school effectiveness.
    • Participate in increasing/sustaining high levels of community support for the school.
    • Assists SAC in identifying the educational needs and priorities of the school.
    • Participate in the preparation of the budget, and review budget related concerns.
    • Promotes innovation within the school; and is a facilitator for change.
    • Keeps up to date with school district, state and national issues.
    • Knows and works with School Board Members, Superintendent and local government officials.
    • Facilities, Safety, Legislative, ESE, ESOL, Boundaries, Curriculum, Dress Code, and Transportation are all issues addressed by SAF.

    In general, meetings are held just prior to the PTSA General Meetings, or with SAC Meetings.

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