Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences (VAAS) operates under the school plan developed and approved by both the Board of Education and UTLA through the Public School Choice 2.0 program. As part of this plan, it was established that VAAS would be governed according to an Expanded School-Based Management Model (ESBM). The rationale for adopting an ESBM governance model was to build sustainable, trusting relationships among all stakeholders. These relationships foster friendship, loyalty, authentic collaboration and operational transparency that are essential to a learning community. All stakeholders, including students, will have a voice in ESBM to support the mission, vision and education plan for the school. Specifically, it was established to:

• Improve student achievement, maintain flexibility, accountability, and local control
• Support Small Learning Community (SLC) models within the school
• Establish and sustain accountabilities for essential instructional strategies of interdisciplinary instruction, Project-Based Learning, Writing Through the Disciplines, and Signature Projects

PURPOSE

ESBMM allows us to build our specialized program using: flexible scheduling, the design and implementation of an innovative, Arts and Sciences Integration Program; Project Based Learning curriculum; Writing Though the Disciplines; and performance-based assessment strategies that will prepare our students for college and success in life and careers.

The ESBM Protocol at VAAS will be based on the six elements of Expanded School Based Management. The six elements were developed and agreed upon by the Board of Education and UTLA based on the belief that an ESBM school can thrive only if the school has:

• Increased funding to the local school site based on the state ADA and categorical funding framework
• Absolute control over its financial resources
• Absolute control over the hiring of administrative, certificated, and classified employees, with no must-place placements
• Absolute control over curriculum
• Absolute control over professional development
• Absolute control over bell schedules

In keeping with these elements and with California Education Code provision encouraging School Based Management, our ESBM Council protocol seeks to facilitate improved staffing practices, budget management, parent involvement, professional development and scheduling. VAAS will implement all aspects of the Expanded School-Based Management Model consistent with applicable laws and the terms of existing and future collective bargaining agreements covering employees in all bargaining units within LAUSD.

We at VAAS believe in the school plan and are committed to making our decisions reflect the objectives set forth in the plan to the best of our abilities. We propose to allocate our financial and staffing resources to create a school in which the goals and programs from our school plan are implemented as faithfully and fully as possible.

COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE

1. We are a committee that uses consensus to make decisions for the school based on the six elements of Expanded School Based Management. In order for a decision to be reached, all members of ESBM must agree to an issue or revisit the issue until consensus is reached.
2. ESBM is composed of the principal, the UTLA chapter chair, one classified staff member, four students (1 per grade level), seven teachers, the Assistant Principals, and two parents (+ one alternate). The principal and UTLA chapter chair serve as co-chairpersons of the ESBM Committee.
3. The principal and UTLA Chapter Chair serve as co-chairs of ESBM.
4. ESBM members will serve a term of two years, with the following exceptions.
   1. UTLA Chapter Chair – As governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the UTLA chapter chair is elected annually by the faculty.
   2. Student – The student positions will be elected annually to allow for changes in student commitments, graduation and other circumstances.
   3. As determined by the 2015-16 ESBM Council and in an attempt to avoid having 100% turnover of teacher members, ESBM teacher members drew lots to determine which 3 members would continue to serve for an additional 3rd year and which 4 teachers would serve the originally scheduled 2 year term.
5. Members of ESBM will be elected by vote and will follow appropriate regulations as defined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement and legislation. If a member leaves mid-term, an election will be held and the individual elected will fulfill the remainder of the term. Elections will be held at the beginning of the school year for the current year.
6. Quorum consists of at least seven members with at least one representative of each stakeholder group including at least one administrator, one parent, one teacher, one classified and one student.
7. ESBMM has no connection with the School Site Council (SSC), a council that controls the Title I budget. However, Title 1 budget decisions will continue to be shared with the ESBM Committee.
8. VAAS has established committees to discuss and propose activities, policies and programs within their focus area. These committees will bring proposals to ESBM for review. ESBMM will discuss, modify and, if consensus is reached, approve any proposal submitted for review. Additionally, the committees will report to ESBM monthly. We currently operate the following committees:
   1. Curriculum Committee – Chairperson: Lynn Ryan
   2. Schedule Committee (ad hoc) – Chairperson: Maria Guerra
   3. Arts and Sciences Committee (ad hoc) – Chairperson: Lynn Ryan
   4. School-wide Positive Behavioral Support – Chairperson: Josh Lewis
   5. Hiring Committee (ad hoc) – Chairperson: Kelly Hanock
   6. Technology Committee (ad hoc) – Chairperson: Jenn Wolfe
   7. Activities & Athletics Committee – Chairperson: Ron Harris
9. ESBMM controls decisions regarding:
   1. Funding to our local school site from state ADA (General Fund School Program-13027)
   2. Selection of administrative, certificated, and classified employees subject to section VC4
   3. Curriculum
   4. Professional Development
   5. Bell schedules, in accordance with District requirements for minimum instructional minutes.

Any issues not specifically mentioned in the above protocol will be addressed in accordance with the school plan. Ultimately, the school plan guides all decision-making and programs.

The ESBM Committee is also tasked with meeting all WASC goals and expectations.