Non-Instructional Advisory Committees

Arlington Public Schools has several non-curriculum advisory committees. To apply for any of these committees, please click on the Advisory Council Application Form to the left.

Ad Hoc Committees/Task Forces

Ad hoc committees and task forces are established by the School Board for the completion of a specific charge in a designated amount of time. For a list of the ad hoc committees and task forces currently in existence, call the School Board Office at 703-228-6015 or fill out the advisory council application form.

Advisory Committee on Transportation Choices (ACTC)

The Advisory Committee on Transportation Choices was created as a joint advisory body of the County Board of Arlington County and the Arlington School Board for the purpose of advising the Joint Committee on Transportation Choices (JCTC). The JCTC will develop and implement programs that further transportation choice for APS students, families and staff.The Mission of the ACTC is to advise the JCTC on strategies and plans of action that will develop and promote transportation choice for APS students, families and staff.

Advisory Council on School Facilities and Capital Programs

The Advisory Council on School Facilities and Capital Programs assists the School Board in the continuous, systematic review of school facilities and the annual and long-range Capital Improvement Program. The Council offers recommendations and suggestions to the School Board on the Annual School Facilities and Student Accommodation Plan, which includes the six-year Capital Improvement Plan, and for future funding for school facilities. The 15-member council is appointed to two-year staggered terms. For information or to volunteer to serve on this advisory council, call the School Board Office at 703-228-6015 or fill out the Application for Advisory Council on School Facilities and Capital Programs.

Budget Advisory Council

To maintain fiscal integrity, public confidence, and wise stewardship of taxpayer resources, the Arlington School Board actively seeks the advice and insight of citizens regarding the Arlington Public Schools budget. The Budget Advisory Council makes recommendations on policies and practices related to the presentation and preparation of the operating budget and the financial management of the school system; makes recommendations to the School Board on budget priorities; advises on the degree to which the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget supports best fiscal practices and the School Board’s priorities, assists in educating the community about the budgeting process; and provides, upon the Board’s request, study and recommendations on special topics or issues. The Council is comprised of 15 Arlington citizens who are not APS employees and who exhibit a broad range of interests, including knowledge and interest in budget matters. Membership is for two-year terms and no more than six years on the Council. The School Board may invite various civic organizations to suggest persons for membership on the Council. Additionally, the County Council of PTAs, the Advisory Council on Instruction and the Civic Federation each may nominate a representative to the Council. For more information, contact the Finance Department at 703-228-6125 or fill out the advisory council application form.

Building Level Planning Committees

Building Level Planning Committees are appointed by the School Board for those Arlington schools that are planning major renewal or new construction projects. Committee members work collaboratively with the Design and Construction Services of the Arlington Public Schools Facilities and Operations Department in advising the project architects and school system staff on a variety of issues related to the renewal or construction project. This includes ensuring that there is adequate preparation of the project plan, including the application of approved and appropriate program/instructional space and capacity to meet local school needs, project schematic design, community use and impact, safety and accessibility provisions and project implementation schedules. The committees also advise the School Board on these same issues and they meet with the School Board prior to approval of the schematic design. During construction, members meet periodically to review the progress of the project, and following completion, they participate in post-construction evaluation of the project. Committee members are appointed by the School Board and include six school staff, six parents, two representatives from the local civic association and several members of the Facilities and Operations Division staff, including the Assistant Superintendent. Meetings are held regularly during the planning phase of renewal/construction and less frequently once construction begins. For more information, call your school principal or fill out the advisory council application form.

School Health Advisory Board

The School Health Advisory Board (SHAB) is Arlington Public Schools’ school health advisory board established per the Code of Virginia § 22.1-275.1. SHAB assists with the development of health policy in the school division and the evaluation of the status of school health, health  education, the school environment, and health services. SHAB annually reports on the status and  needs of student health in the school division to any relevant school, the Arlington School Board, the Virginia Department of Health, and the Virginia Department of Education. SHAB participates in the Advisory Council on Teaching and Learning process as a subcommittee for matters relating to health education.  The School Board seeks the advice of community members through a wide range of advisory committees and councils. These advisory committees and councils are appointed by the School Board, advise the School Board and, when appropriate, make recommendations on issues or policies related to the successful operation of the school system. For more information on how to apply for a committee, visit the School Board Advisory Committees page.

Staff Liaison: Deborah DeFranco
Supervisor, Health, Physical and Driver Education and Athletics
deborah.defranco@apsva.us
703-228-6165

School Plan Advisory Committees

A School Plan Advisory Committee for each school is appointed by the Superintendent or his designee in August. Each committee is responsible for advising the School Board and the building principal on matters pertaining to the school and its successful operation. The committee reviews the total school program, including the School Management Plan; considers the extent to which goals and objectives of the Management Plan have been or are being met; reviews student performance and makes recommendations for improvements. Each committee includes the principal, the PTA president, another PTA Executive Board member and two to four other members of the school community. Four meetings are held each year. More meetings may be held as needed. For more information, call your school principal or fill out the advisory council application form.

Special Education Parent Resource Center Parent Liaison Group

The Special Education Parent Resource Center (PRC) Parent Liaison Group helps create partnerships between home and school through the establishment of parent liaisons who then become a direct link between the schools and the Center. The parent liaisons represent the interests of special education students at individual schools by serving on the PTA executive board; communicate to parents about upcoming PRC activities such as workshops, support groups and special meetings via the PTA and keep the PRC apprised of activities that might be of interest to special education students. The group has one representative from each Arlington school. Meetings are held three times per year in the evenings and are set in advance. For more information call the Parent Resource Center at 703-228-7239 or fill out the advisory council application form.

Student Advisory Board

The Student Advisory Board is a group of 24 high school students who focus on student-related issues and make recommendations regarding those issues to the School Board. The Student Advisory Board provides a channel of communication between the School Board and students so that mutual concerns may be better solved through greater understanding of the respective views, responsibilities and obligations. Six students each from Wakefield High, Washington-Lee High , Yorktown High and the H-B Woodlawn Program are selected by their schools to serve on the Board. The group meets monthly from September through June after school hours, and meets with the School Board at least three times per school year. For more information about the Student Advisory Board, students should call their high school or the Arlington Public Schools’ Administrative Services Office at 703-228-6008.

Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on Equity and Excellence

The Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on Equity and Excellence is appointed by and reports to the Superintendent of the Arlington Public Schools. Parents, community members and Arlington Public School staff members review progress on the accomplishment of the Strategic Plan goal dedicated to “eliminating gaps in achievement among identified groups (Asian, Black, Hispanic, low-income students, students with disabilities, and English language learners.” The committee meets monthly to offer recommendations regarding programs, practices, procedures, and policies. For information or to volunteer to serve on this committee, call the Superintendent’s Office at 703-228-2497 or complete the advisory council application form.

Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Student Concerns

The Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Student Concerns (SACIRSC) consists of parents, community leaders, and staff who raise concerns voiced by immigrant and refugee students and parents; leverage the Committee’s knowledge, networks, and resources to identify solutions and advocate for timely implementation; and support the APS vision “to be an inclusive community that empowers all students to foster their dreams, explore their possibilities, and create their futures.”

Specifically, the Committee identifies and addresses:

• Challenges that hold students back from living up to their potential;
• Changes necessary to empower parents to support their children in school;
• Ways to recognize and celebrate the contributions of immigrants and refugees to our community.

The Committee meets five times between September and May. For more information or to volunteer to serve on this Committee, contact Stephen Linkous, Committee liaison, at stephen.linkous@apsva.us .

Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability

The Sustainability Committee addresses issues relating to energy and environmental conservation within our school operations and educational curriculum. A committee of parents, community members, students and staff address issues and provide recommendations in the following areas:

• Policies and procedures with respect to environmental sustainability.
• Energy and environment curriculum.
• Management and conservation programs.
• Community outreach.

For information or to volunteer to serve on this committee, call the Energy Manager at 703-228-7731.

Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on Technology

The Superintendent’s Advisory Committee on Technology is appointed by and reports to the Superintendent of the Arlington Public Schools. Parents, community members and representatives from the Student and Staff Technology Advisory Committees provide guidance to the school system in the areas of instructional and administrative use of technology. More specifically the committee:

• Reviews progress on the accomplishments of the Technology Plan
• Reviews existing APS Policies and PIPs related to technology and makes recommendations when necessary
• Advises Information Services on initiatives which could help APS achieve school system goals through the use of technology including a review of the financial implications of any recommended initiatives
• Works with the County Technology Commission to leverage opportunities for technology collaboration between Arlington County and Arlington Public Schools.

For information or to volunteer to serve on this committee, complete the advisory council application form.