ACCESS Academy Site Council meets to address issues and policies affecting the school community and how to best support the academic and social success of students. Using our School's Continuous Improvement Plan, Site Council assesses our program, curriculum goals, teaching strategies, student achievement data, and the success of previous improvement plans. Site Council members are Principal Aaron Ferguson, three ACCESS staff members, and three current ACCESS family representatives. 

Site Council meetings for the 2024–2025 school year are held every second Tuesday of the month from 4:30-5:30. Upcoming meeting dates are March 18th, April 8th, May 13th and June 10th. Observe meetings at this link. If you are interested in joining Site Council, reach out to Principal Ferguson or Instructional Coach Margaret Price. 

PPS Site Council Handbook

2024-2025 Site Council Members

Parent Participants: Mishka Willis, Jory Ruscio, Jenny Staab

Staff Participants: Shannon D'Aurora, Margaret Price, Tabitha Williams

Administrative Participant: Principal Aaron Ferguson

Site Council Fundamentals

State Law (329.704)

There shall be established at each school a 21st Century School Council.  The 21st Century Schools Council, however, shall not interfere with the duties, responsibilities, and rights of duty elected school district boards.

The primary purpose of school councils is to improve student learning at the school site. 

Duties of the Council as defined in state law

• The development of plans to improve the professional growth of the school staff
• The improvement of the school’s instructional program
• The development and coordination of plans for the implementation of programs under this chapter at the school
• The administration of grants-in-aid for the professional development of teachers and classified district employees
• Advising the school district board in the development of a plan for school safety and student discipline

District Policy (7.10.010-P, III)

• The purpose of site councils is to increase student achievement. In compliance with provisions of the Oregon Act of the 21st Century, it is the policy of the board to establish site councils in each school in the district.
• The duties of the council shall include:
• The improvement of the of the school’s instructional program;
• The development and coordination of plans to improve the professional growth of the school’s staff;
• The development and coordination of plans for the implementation of programs covered under the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century at the school site;
• The administration for grants-in-aid for the professional development of teachers and classified district employees; and
• Fostering family involvement in the schools.

To accomplish these duties, each 21st Century Council will:

1. Assist in developing and implementing a process for preparing an annual school improvement plan. This process should include participation by staff, family members, community members and students. The plan should focus on how the school will assist students to achieve the standards established by the state and district;
2. Implement a school survey for assessing community opinions regarding the school program;
3. Assist in developing and maintaining a current local school profile which describes student performance information, identification of students meeting and exceeding state and district standards, characteristics of the school and its community, perception of the school’s effectiveness by staff and family members, the school’s goals and plans for improvement;
4. Establish and prioritize student performance goals which are in accordance with district goals and state standards, particularly those contained in the Oregon Act for the 21st Century;
5. Develop plans to reach student performance goals utilizing current educational research, professional development of staff focused on research based effective instructional practices and staff and community input;
6. Develop and utilize a communication plan for involving the community in planning for school improvement and for informing the community about the plan and its progress; and
7. Support the plan’s implementation by identifying and applying current resources and participating in efforts to acquire new resources.

Composition and Selection

Composition of a 21st Century School Council – State Law

• Not more than half shall be teachers;
• Not more than half shall be parents of students attending that school;
• At least one member shall be a classified employee; and
• One member shall be the principal of the building or the principal’s designee.

* In addition, other members may be as the school district shall designate, including but not limited to local school committee members, business leaders, students and members of the community at large.

If a school district board determines that a school site is unable to fulfill the requirements of this section, or the needs of a school site require a different composition, the school district board shall establish the 21st Century schools council in a manner that best meets the educational needs of the district.

Composition of a 21st Century School Council – PPS Policy

• Not more than half shall be teachers; Teachers are defined as all licensed employees of the public schools or employed by an ESD who have direct responsibility for instruction, coordination of educational programs or supervision of teachers and who are compensated for their services from public funds.
• Not more than half shall be adult family representatives of students attending that school; Adult family representatives are defined as parents or guardians of students currently enrolled in the school.
• At least one member shall be a classified employee; classified employees are any non-teaching or non-administrative staff members having contact with students at the school to which they are affiliated and for whose employment an Oregon teaching license is not required.
• One member shall be the principal of the building.
• At least one student representative will serve on each high school council.

* In addition, other members may be as the school district shall designate, including but not limited to local school committee members, business leaders, students and members of the community at large.

Selection of 21st Century Council Members – State Law

• Teachers shall be licensed teachers elected by licensed teachers at the school site;
• Classified employees shall be elected by classified employees at the school site;
• Parents shall be selected by parents of students attending the school; and
• Other representatives shall be selected by the council.

Selection of 21st Century Council Members – PPS Policy

• Teachers shall be licensed teachers elected by licensed teachers at the school site;
• Classified employees shall be elected in a direct vote by classified employees at the school site;
• Adult family members shall be elected by adult family members of students attending the school; and
• The method of selecting student representatives will be determined by the council
• Other representatives shall be selected by the council.

All 21st century schools council meetings shall be subject to the open meetings law pursuant to ORS 192.610 to 192.6