In the Berkeley Unified School District, each school has a School Site Council (though the high school operates slightly differently, see below) which combines the responsibilities of the state-mandated School Site Councils (such as writing the School Plan and allocating certain state funds directed to schools) as well as the duties of looking at all school spending including BSEP Site Funds, a portion of special local funds that go directly to school sites.
A community response to school funding shortages in the wake of Prop.13, the Berkeley Schools Excellence Program (BSEP), has made a huge difference in the quality of our children’s education since 1986. This special local tax was on Berkeley’s November 2016 ballot as Measure E1, where it was reauthorized with the approval of almost 89% of the voters, and was extended for 8 years.
On September 15th, 2010, the Board of Education adopted School Site Council Bylaws for Berkeley High School. On October 9, 2013, the School Site Council Bylaws were amended to adjust the composition and quorum requirements. On September 12, 2018 the Board of Education adopted revised School Site Council Bylaws for elementary and middle schools, available here.
At Berkeley High, due to its size and complexity, the BSEP Committee remains a discrete committee, focused on the school’s BSEP/Measure E1 Site Program Funds. The Berkeley High School Site Council (SSC) allocates state and federal categorical funds.The charge of the Berkeley High BSEP Committee is to develop a budget to allocate BSEP/Measure E1 School Site Program Funds for the personnel, services and materials required to deliver effective activities leading to improved student performance as outlined in the Single Plan for Student Achievement. The BSEP Committee’s proposed Plan and Budget is sent to the Berkeley High SSC where it receives a vote to approve or disapprove. If disapproved, the BSEP Committee subsequently submits another Plan and budget for approval.
Handbook for School Site Committees: PDF
Handbook Section II (Historical Packets) Inserts by Site: PDF