About SAC (School Advisory Council)

TDSB School Advisory Councils

School Councils work to improve student achievement and enhance the accountability of the education system to parents and caregivers. They are legislated and governed by Regulation 612 of the Education Act.

School Councils work inclusively, recognizing that all parents/caregivers have an equitable place in our school's community, free from racism, classism, and other isms, intentional or unintentional. They recognize that participation can take many forms and work to:

  • offer parents/caregivers a variety of ways to share their voices, knowledge, and expertise

  • recognize that relationship building is key to breaking down walls and barriers

  • strive to identify and eliminate barriers to participation for parents/caregivers

  • disrupt practices that contribute to oppression based on race, class, nationality, abilities, gender, education, or language 

School Council Goals and Priorities

  • The purpose of a School Council is to advise the Principal regarding educational priorities and student achievement including areas of need. 

  • A priority of the Council is to communicate and consult with parents about matters under consideration by the School Council and encourage the participation of parents in the education system. Recommendations made to the Principal (and school board) should reflect the general consensus of the parent community and the well-being of all students.

  • Help the Principal and staff develop the School Improvement Plan (SIP).  Every school will develop equity embedded goals for the SIP in the following areas:  Achievement, School Belonging/Well-being, and Indigenous Education & Sovereignty.

  • Foster mutual respect and collaboration amongst members including Parent Members and school staff.

School Council Elections

SAC Elections must be held within the first 30 days of the school year. O. Reg. 612/00, s. 4 (4)  The Principal must post the date, time, and location of the election (as determined in consultation with the Chair(s)) for the parent community, at least 14 days before the election date.

Parent Representatives (Voting Members)

  • Parents/guardians of a student enrolled at Roselands can vote in a school election and run as a Parent Representative.

  • Parents/guardians can nominate themselves by completing the nomination ballot and returning it to the school.

  • Candidates should be prepared to summarize their reasons for running to represent the school community.

  • Parents/guardians must be present at the school on the election day(s) during the preset hours for voting (to include both daytime and evening hours).

  • Parents/guardians can cast one vote for each candidate.

  • If there is a tie for the final position, the winner will be determined by lot.

  • If the number of candidates is less than or equal to the number of positions, the candidates will be acclaimed.

  • If all elected positions are not filled, the council can appoint additional people or choose to operate with vacancies.

  • Appointments are by majority vote.

Click here to view a TDSB Q&A handout about School Council elections.

You're Invited!

Not sure if you want to commit to being a voting member? Every parent/caregiver in TDSB is invited to attend their School's Council meeting, regardless if they are a SAC member! 

These meetings are an opportunity to listen, learn, give feedback and advise on solutions to issues that are community and school-wide. 

Parents and caregivers are an important part of the school experience. Each family and community has gifts, strengths, and levels of expertise that can help shape what happens in school and the community.

 School Council Positions

  • The Chair (or Co-Chair if this role is shared) acts as the primary representative of the School Council and leads the School Council meetings. The Chair/Co-Chair will: 

    • Organize meetings; assist with preparing agendas; facilitate council meetings with a positive outcome.

    • Consult with parents/guardians about activities (fundraisers, parent engagement, etc.)

    • Communicate with the school Principal, Vice-Principal, and other TDSB staff on behalf of the council.

    • Act as a bridge between parents, TDSB, and the community. Facilitate the resolution of conflict.

    • Adhere to the voices of the parents and encourage parents to bring their voices forward.

    • Communicate with the school Principal on behalf of the Council.

    • Ensure that minutes of Council meetings are recorded and maintained.

    • Participate as ex-officio members of all committees established by the School Council.

  • Member of the Executive Committee.  The Treasurer keeps proper records of all monies that are collected and spent by the School Council. The Treasurer will: 

    • Record all financial transactions.

    • Keep the council members informed on budgetary matters.

    • Generate monthly reports and update parents, Principal, and Vice-Principal at monthly SAC meetings.

    • Review TDSB Fundraising Guide TDSB Approved Fundraising and Fun Fair Vendors and Procedures for School Council Funds.

    • Work cooperatively with the school Administrators regarding program accounts.

    • Follow standard reporting and accounting procedures.

    • Be available to accurately count School Council funds raised and prepare deposit slips to the school account. All money handling must be done during school hours and at school.

  • Member of the Executive Committee.  The Secretary records and distributes meeting minutes. The Secretary will: 

    • Take minutes during meetings, edit, and distribute to parents two weeks before the next meeting, after approval.

    • Make note of actions promised and planned.

    • Distribute the minutes to the Chair, Co-Chair, and Principal 

    • After approval, share minutes with parents, post minutes on the SAC bulletin board and website, and place them in the School Council binder. Make copies for the council's monthly meeting.

    • Ensure CASL guidelines are followed.

    • Manage all internal and external e-lists/social media, etc.

  • The school principal is a non-voting member of the school council. They are an important link between the Council and the school. (In fact, a meeting cannot be considered a meeting of the school council unless the Principal, or delegated Vice-Principal, is in attendance).

    • Voting members

    • Participate on any committees established by the School Council.

    • Contribute to the discussions of the School Council.

    • Solicit the view of other parents and members of the community to share with the School Council.

    • Observe the Council’s code of ethics and established by-laws.

    • Voting member

    • Contributes to the discussions of the School Council.

    • Solicits the views of other students to share with the School Council.

    • May participate on any committees established by the School Council.

    • Communicates information from the Council to other students.Item description

  • (One each from the teaching and non-teaching staff)

    • Voting members

    • Contributes to the discussions of the School Council.

    • Solicit views from their staff groups to share with the School Council.

    • May participate on any committees established by the School Council.

    • Communicate information back to their staff groups.

    • Observe the Council’s code of ethics and established by-laws

    • Voting member

    • Contributes to the discussions of the School Council.

    • Represents the community perspective.

    • May participate on any committees established by the School Council.

    • Helps build partnerships and links between the school and the community.

    • Observes the councils code of ethics and established by-laws.

Council Documents