TRMS School Site Council (SSC) & the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA)

School Site Council

What is the School Site Council (SSC)? The School Site Council is composed of equal numbers of parent and staff. It is the role of the SSC to advise the principal and staff on the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the school improvement plan, and to allocate funds from the state to support the goals of the school plan. The SSC reviews the progress of the school in achieving the goals of the plan.

What's in the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA)?  All schools must have a School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA, formerly known as the Single Plan for Student Achievement), which is designed, implemented, and monitored by the SSC to ensure that the SIP funds are being spent effectively to support school's improvement efforts to attain the highest possible levels of teaching and learning at the school. The Plan contains:

1. An Overview of the Plan.

2. District Common Pages details philosophy, community description, coordination of services and SSC membership information.

3. Budget Information.

4. Core Curriculum Information includes strategies, standards and assessment, curricular disciplines and required program services to support the core curriculum.

5. Needs Assessment and Evaluation details the analysis of our students' academic strengths and needs, student support beyond the classroom, staff needs, parent needs and school priorities.

6. Major Focus Area includes our focus area and Program Quality Review plan.

7. Other School Curricular Priorities.

8. Staff Development Days Focus.

How much money does the SSC have to spend? Funds come from the state on a per student basis. The amount varies from year to year with CBEDS (California Basic Educational Data System) enrollment. The legislature and governor can add to or cut some of the funding in any year. Some years it gets a cost of living adjustment, some years it doesn't.

Doesn’t the state always put specific restrictions on funding given to schools? Yes, but in the 90’s, the state passed the School Based Coordinated Program (SBCP), which gave the schools more power to spend their funding more effectively. The SBCP allows schools to coordinate some categorical funds (SIP and some special education) paid by different State funding sources to serve all students, as long as the school is meeting the needs of all special populations. The SSC is the body that determines whether or not, and how to redirect these funds.

When and where does the School Site Council meet?

The SSC meets the fourth Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Learning Center. An agenda is shared via ParentSquare the week prior to the meeting. 

How can I get involved? If you have any questions or are interested in being a part of the Russell School Site Council, email Mrs. Quintana at saquintana@musd.org, leave a phone message, or better yet, attend a meeting!