Advisory School Council

                           Walatowa High Charter School

Advisory School Council

Parents, Jemez Valley Corridor, Pueblo of Jemez, Pueblo of Tsiya residents, WHCS Faculty and Staff members who would like to play an active role at WHCS are invited to serve on one of the Advisory School Councils.

WHCS is accepting Declarations of Interest for Advisory School Council members for the 2020-2021 school year. If fewer individuals declare an interest than there are available positions, those filing Declarations of Interest are chosen by acclamation. 

In cases where the number of candidates exceeds the number of available positions, the WHCS Executive Director may choose to allow all those declaring an interest to serve or may form a committee to review applications and appoint from among those declaring an interest to determine who shall serve on the council.   If fewer persons declare an interest than there are available positions, the WHCS Executive Director may fill the remaining positions by appointment. 

Who may serve on a school council?

Advisory School Councils include parent, school staff, and community members.  The WHCS Executive Director must serve as an active member of the council.  WHCS Councils must include at least five members: one faculty members, two parent members, one community members, and the WHCS Executive Director or designee.  Councils may include more than five members at the WHCS Executive Directors discretion if the number of staff members, parents, and community members remains equitable.    

• WHCS Faculty member must be currently employed at WHCS.
• Parent members must have a child currently enrolled at WHCS on whose council they serve.
• Community members must reside in the Jemez Valley Corridor or must have a child enrolled in a WHCS. If possible, one of the community members should be a representative of the business community.

What does a school council do?

Per state law, school councils “assist the principal in an advisory capacity with school-based decision making and . . . provide parents with the opportunity for greater involvement in their child’s education.”

State law defines the following specific responsibilities school councils are expected to perform:

• Work with the WHCS Executive Director and give advice, consistent with state and WHCS rules and policies, on policies relating to instructional issues and curricula and on the public school’s proposed and actual budgets;

• Develop creative ways to involve parents at WHCS;

• Where appropriate, coordinate with any existing work force development boards or vocational education advisory councils, Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation to connect students and school academic programs to business resources and opportunities; and

• Serve as the champion for students in building community support for schools and encouraging greater community participation at WHCS.

WHCS School councils meet a minimum of three times a year, and may meet more often at the discretion of the WHCS Executive Director or designee and the council.  School councils have broad discretion in setting their agendas to meet the needs of their individual schools.  School council members may also be invited to represent panels such as the Community/Parent Advisory Team (CPAT) and the Superintendent’s/WHCS Executive Director Staff Advisory Council (SAC). WHCS encourages members of the council to act as liaisons to for the WHCS PTA/Equity Council/ IPP, and to the WHCS community. 

How does someone apply to serve on an Advisory School Council?

Candidates interested in serving on a school council may provide a Declaration of Interest letter providing the following:

Name, Date, Council interest and why. Current employment. Background check will be required. Please mail copy to: WHCS, 147 Bear Head Canyon Rd. Jemez Pueblo, NM 87024. Or email the WHCS Executive Director at awilkinson@walatowahcs.org.

What is the deadline for returning Declarations of Interest?

The deadline for the return of declarations of candidacy for the 2020-21 school year will be Friday, August 14. 

What authority does the school council have?

School councils as established in statute and are advisory in nature and work with the WHCS Executive Director or designee to review curriculum, budgets and other issues as specified by law or requested by the WHCS Executive Director.  School councils do not set policy or provide direction to the WHCS Executive Director.  Under state law, subject to the general supervision of the Superintendent/Executive Director and Associate Superintendent/WHCS Assistant Executive Director, is responsible for the administration and overall instructional leadership of the Walatowa High Charter School. Meetings of the council are not subject to the Open Meetings Act because the council is an advisory, not a policy-making, body.

Do members get paid for serving on the council? NO

Where can I learn more?

If you have questions, please contact the WHCS at 575-834-0447. Or email Dr. A. Wilkinson, WHCS Executive Director at awilkinson@walatwoahcs.org or Dr. K. Kommander-Salazar at kkommander@walatowahcs.org