What is a School Improvement Council?

The School Improvement Council (SIC) serves as an advisory committee to a school's principal and faculty. Unlike PTSA and other voluntary school organizations, councils are mandated by law to exist in every public school in South Carolina.  SICs play a key role in the education of our children, bringing together parents, educators and community stakeholders to collaborate on the improvement of their local school.

Almost anyone is eligible to serve on a School Improvement Council - parents, teachers, business partners, community leaders and students in grade nine and above. The average council has about 12 members; two thirds of the members must be elected parents, students and teachers. The principal appoints the remaining third of the council, careful to ensure broad representation from the larger school community including non-parent taxpayers who have a special expertise or perspective.

The principal serves as an ex-officio member of the council as do a variety of other people by virtue of their position at the school. Ex-officio members may include the PTSA president, volunteer coordinator, business partner, Booster Club president, Teacher of the Year, and last year's SIC Chair; the number depends on the school's needs.

Greer Middle School SIC Committee for 2010-2011