Group Establishes a School Advisory Council for LMSD

Concerned parents, teachers, administrators and community leaders gathered together on Monday evening (January 14) to form a community engagement council also known as P – 16. Held in the Louisville High School cafeteria, about 50 individuals chose 29 councilmembers to serve as a liaison between the Louisville Municipal School District and the community as a whole.

P 16 councils are approved by the State Board of Education and are required to be put in place by school districts that are designated as Failing but are also encouraged for struggling schools such as some in LMSD. P 16 councils are part of an organized system to encourage community involvement, parental communications and business partnerships in school district decision-making. The stated general purpose of P 16 councils is:

 “School districts and schools have the duty and responsibility to build quality first rate schools accessible to all children regardless of race, ethnicity, class, gender, disability or status. This requires meaningful participation of parents, students and other parts of the community in the formation and implementation of policy at the school district in school levels. Community engagement councils, also known as P 16 councils, are an essential opportunity to build this process. The community engagement councils are intended to be community-based and independent. The councils are charged with the duty and responsibility to build strong, healthy communities. In order to build strong, healthy communities it is necessary, among other things, to creating quality public education delivered to students in healthy schools which are accessible to all children, regardless of race, class, status, gender are disability.”

Last night’s attendees divided into multiple groups consisting of community organizations, parent teacher organizations, student councilmembers and students, community members at large and school district personnel. Within these groups, 29 individuals were selected to serve on the P 16 councils.

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Bylaws, agenda and meeting schedules will be determined by the councilmembers. The Council is scheduled to be introduced to the LMSD school board at tonight’s meeting ( January 15).

P-16 Council Members (click to enlarge)

W. McCully