Planning and Oversight Committee (BSEP & BERRA)

Since 1986 the generosity of Berkeley taxpayers has strengthened Berkeley schools and given Berkeley’s public school children opportunities for quality education which they would not otherwise have had. In return, the parents and community members who serve on the district-wide BSEP Planning & Oversight Committee have been vigilant in safeguarding the BSEP dollars, ensuring that the funds generated by the voter-approved tax measure are spent according to the terms of the Measure.

The P&O Committee, mandated by the BSEP Measure and comprised of representatives from
every school, meets regularly to:

• Review the implementation of the many aspects of the BSEP Measure, ranging
  from Class Size Reduction to Music & the Arts, from Technology to Professional
  Development for Teachers, and much more;
• Ensure that BSEP funds are spent in compliance with the Measure;
• Make annual recommendations to the School Board for the use of BSEP dollars.

Before BSEP funds are spent, spending proposals may be discussed in Planning & Oversight subcommittees, and then must receive two readings at the P&O Committee as a whole. After approval by P&O Committee, the proposals are sent to the School Board for approval.

The Planning & Oversight Committee also reviews the BSEP Year-End Report in early December each year.

The members of each school’s School Site Council (and BHS BSEP Committee) are elected each September. The newly elected SSCs (and BHS BSEP Committee) then select their school’s Planning and Oversight Committee Representative. The P&O Representative does not need to be a member of the SSC, but does serve as a liaison between the P&O and the SSC. The term of office of the P&O Representatives is October 1 – September 30.

Serving on the BSEP P&O Committee is a great way to gain a district-wide perspective, and to learn about and weigh in on district priorities. Anyone interested in joining the P&O Committee should speak with their principal or SSC Chair. Interested community members may also contact the BSEP & Community Relations Director at NatashaBeery@berkeley.net.

For more information about the School Site Councils and the Planning and Oversight Committee, please refer to their Bylaws. Those regarding School Site Councils are found here. The bylaws directly governing P&O are posted here.

For more information on BSEP, visit the main BSEP page. Or download the 2-page PDF describing BSEP by clicking here.