Advisory Council for Gifted Education
An Advisory Council for Gifted Education meets three (3) times during the school session. The establishment of this advisory council is a requirement of state regulations for development of a local plan for the education of gifted students.

The Advisory Council for Gifted Education is composed of administrators, teachers, parents, college representatives, and other community members. A major purpose of this advisory group is to review the local plans for gifted education and make recommendations for improvement. The Advisory Council for Gifted Education helps assess the effectiveness of the gifted program to ensure that the needs of identified gifted students are being met in the Pittsylvania County Schools. Suggestions are made by members of this advisory group as to possible improvements in any aspect of the gifted program.

Citizens’ Advisory Planning Council
This council is composed of community members representing each of the county schools. Members serve annual terms but may continue the term of service in subsequent years.

The council meets four (4) times per year and members bring questions, concerns and issues for discussion and reaction. A central theme of the council is to offer information and ideas to the division superintendent for consideration in system operation and management.

Council on Minority Concerns
The purpose of the Council on Minority Concerns is to advise the superintendent on issues that are relative to recruitment and advancement, academic performance and other issues that will promote diversity within the school system. Meetings will be held quarterly with additional meetings at the discretion of the Superintendent.

The Council on Minority Concerns consists of seven (7) minority members, one person from each of the seven magisterial districts in Pittsylvania County. Each School Board member appoints an individual to the Council from his/her respective district. Members are appointed for a two-year term; however, they may be reappointed for an additional two-year term and are eligible for reappointment to the council for two (2) years including the last served on the Council.

IASA Title I Parent Advisory Councils
Federal Regulations governing IASA Title I require that parents be involved in the planning and implementation of instructional programs. Pittsylvania County Schools seek meaningful consultation with parents of participating children. For this purpose, formal parental involvement opportunities are provided at two levels – through local schools PACs and a District PAC. Local school PACs serve as representatives for all parents of students who receive Title I instruction. The District PAC is composed of a representative from each Title I school and serves as a liaison for the local schools and the central office. All councils meet a minimum of four times per school year.

PAC members assist by observing Title I activities in schools; discussing their observations at PAC meetings and noting what seems to work and what does not; volunteering to work in the program; encouraging parents to help their children at home; informing their communities about Title I activities; conducting special parenting projects; and sharing information with other parents and personnel. Additionally, the District PAC assists with yearly program planning, reviews the Title I Project Application and the Final Evaluation Report.

Implementation Committee for the Pittsylvania County Strategic Plan for Education
The Implementation Committee is composed of educators, a School Board member, a Board of Supervisors member, community members, and a student. A major goal of the Implementation Committee is to disseminate the strategic plan to the youth and adults in Pittsylvania County. The committee is responsible for coordinating a needs assessment and developing options relative to implementation of the strategic plan.

Parent Community Involvement Team for Family Life Education
The Pittsylvania County Parent Community Involvement Team began in 1988 when Family Life Education was mandated by the Virginia Department of Education. Originally 44 members served on the team representing every school community and various social agencies dealing with family life.

The purpose of the Pittsylvania County Parent Community Involvement Team is to preview all lesson plans, audiovisuals and changes recommended by parents, students and teachers. The team presently meets once a year to make revisions for the upcoming school year.

Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee
The mission of the Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce is to improve the business environment and quality of life in our region. One of the Chamber’s major goals is to ensure schools are adequately preparing students for the future by promoting educational improvements.

The Education Committee supports the efforts of the Pittsylvania County Schools. Some of the specific projects of the Education Committee include the Educator of the Year awards and the mini-grants program to support educational programs.

Pittsylvania Vocational Education Foundation Board
As set forth in the Articles of Incorporation, this corporation was organized exclusively for educational purposes. The Foundation was established in 1982 to supplement the regular Vocational Education Program and provide effective, practical training to students in the secondary vocational programs and to raise the standards of vocational training. The Board consists of nine directors that meet three times a year to conduct the business of the corporation. Presently, its major function is the Modular Project at the Vocational Technical Center.

School Health Advisory Board
The 1992 General Assembly enacted legislation requiring that each school division have a school health advisory board. The purpose of the advisory board is to advise school divisions about the development and implementation of school health programs including health instruction, the school environment, and health services.

The school health advisory board includes parents, students, health professionals and educators. In addition, representatives may be included from community agencies, business and industry, child advocacy groups, volunteer health agencies, the school division staff, and institutions of higher education. Each advisory board is required to meet a least semi-annually and to provide an annual report on the status and needs of student health in the school division to any relevant school, the school board, the Virginia Department of Health, and the Virginia Department of Education.

Special Education Advisory Committee
Each school division is required to have a local advisory committee for special education, appointed by each local school board, to advise the school board through the division superintendent. The composition of the committee must include parents of children with disabilities. Some operating procedures include the following:

1. Local school division personnel shall serve only as consultants to the committee.

2. The functions of the local advisory committee are as follows:

a. To advise the local school division about ways to meet the needs in the education of children with disabilities.

b. To assist the local school division in the formulation and development of long-range plans designed to provide needed educational services for children with disabilities.

c. To participate in the development of priorities and strategies for meeting the identified needs of children with disabilities.

d. To submit periodic reports and recommendations regarding the education of children with disabilities to the division superintendent for transmission to the local school board; and

e. To assist the local school division in interpreting plans to the community for meeting the special needs of children with disabilities for educational services.

3. A public notice shall be published annually listing the names of committee members and including a description of ways in which interested parties may express their views to the committee.

4. Committee meetings are held at least quarterly and are open to the public.

Teachers’ Advisory Planning Council (Minutes)
Composed of a representative from each school, this group meets four (4) times per year. Representatives bring questions, concerns and issues for discussion and reaction. Areas may include non-instructional topics.

Selected central office personnel attend the meetings to respond to items on a more immediate basis. A written summary of the meeting is provided for principals and members for dissemination.

Vocational Advisory Council
The Vocational Advisory Council provides guidance and leadership for the vocational and technical education programs of the school division. The Council meets four times per year and includes representation from area businesses, local educational institutions, labor union, students, and parents. The Council assists in curriculum competency validation and offers recommendations for program improvements. Each year the Council provides the School Board with an annual report of vocational-technical programs and makes recommendations to the Board for its consideration.