Skyview Site Charter 2005-06 Input Requested

THIS IS A COPY OF LAST YEAR'S SITE CHARTER AND IS THE STARTING POINT FOR THIS YEAR'S DEPARTMENT HEADS. READ IT. THINK IT THROUGH. RESPOND WITH SUGGESTIONS TO THIS POST SO THAT WE CAN AGREE TO HOW WE WILL WORK TOGETHER THIS YEAR.


Skyview Site Charter 2004-05

Department Heads will:
1. foster a cooperative, caring, learning environment
2. communicate information to our departments
3. develop internal leadership abilities
4. stay informed
5. continuously evaluate our decisions, activities, and results

Representation

Each department identifies the teacher or teachers who will participate in Department Head meetings. Department Heads should communicate regularly with the department through e-mail and meetings.

Guiding Rules

1. Everyone can be involved in decision making
2. No one has to be involved in decision making
3. Once decisions are made, everyone supports implementation

Guidelines

We will deal with issues that are within our power to affect. Our purpose is to enhance school-wide teaching and learning. Department Head powers are limited. The team must follow State Regulations, School Board Policy, and Association Contracts. Skyview Junior High is part of Northshore School District . Department Heads will deal with school issues and policies and will not deal with personal or individual issues. Department Heads will not be responsible for normal operational or organizational procedures until the need for improvements or policy changes are addressed by the Department Heads.

Decision Making

On major issues, we will use consensus decision-making. Before considering a decision, everyone in the group will have an opportunity to influence the decision. All members understand the decision, have a chance to describe their point of view, and are prepared to support it and go along for an "experimental try". Consensus is defined as 70% acceptance AFTER everyone has been heard on other shared decisions. Because consensus building takes time, skill, and trust, it should be reserved for important decisions requiring a high degree of support and commitment from those who will implement the decision.


Ground Rules for Consensus Decision Making

o It is okay to disagree. If I disagree, it is my responsibility to tell the team why.
o Seek out differences in opinion. They are natural and expected. Group disagreements help expose the available alternatives, thereby minimizing group think.
o Avoid arguing rigidly for your own position. Present your opinion as clearly and logically as possible, but listen to other members' reactions and consider them carefully before you restate your point.
o Avoid changing your mind only to avoid conflict. Support only options you are truly prepared to support.
o Emphasize dialogue. Limit discussion. Eliminate debate. Seek to understand the underlying assumptions. Suspend evaluation while you listen to all points of view. Listen to understand.
o It is the right and the responsibility of each team member to be an active part of the process. What I do not share, I can not hold the team responsible for considering.
o Have a backup plan of consensus cannot be reached. Now what?