Citizens' Advisory Council

Legislators' Forum - Town Hall Meeting Click to view video from the CAC Legislators' Forum held on February 16, 2010. Unfunded mandates and other educational funding concerns were discussed. Senator Nolan, Representative Farnham, Representative Ramey, and Representative Froehlich attended.   Citizens' Advisory Council Needs You It is important for parents to be involved in their child’s education. One way you can be involved is by joining the Citizens’ Advisory Council (CAC). The CAC is a group of U-46 parents and citizens that works with the Board of Education and administration to ensure academic success for all students in U-46. The CAC works two ways. First, we offer parents the unique opportunity to learn how the District works firsthand at monthly meetings. We discuss timely topics such as state learning standards, current education legislation, the district improvement plan, finances, safety, curriculum and more. Each meeting includes Board of Education members and district administrators, so you have the chance to interact with U-46 decision-makers and they have the chance to hear what is important to you and the school you represent. The second thing the CAC does is work on projects related to improving the school district as a whole. This work is done through committees, which typically meet once a month. Committees study different areas of education in U-46: state funding, community outreach, class instruction, school building capacities and facility needs, gifted/special education, and much more – and then make formal recommendations to the Board about things they believe should be implemented. This is where we, as parents, have the greatest impact – this is our chance to speak up and make a bold push for continuous improvement in the education of our kids. So how can you get involved? It’s simple -- by becoming a CAC representative of your child’s school (or a school within your particular attendance zone). As a CAC rep you will bring the concerns and issues of the parents from your school community to the attention of the council, administration and the Board. You also will bring district information back to your school to keep them informed and get parent/citizen input on recommendations to the Board.  Each school can have seven official representatives to the CAC, but everyone (whether a member or not) is welcome to participate at CAC meetings. Translation into Spanish is available at all CAC general meetings. General meetings are held in the Elgin High School library at 1200 Maroon Dr., Elgin. To become a member, contact the principal at your school and ask them to submit your name to the school district as a rep or contact the U-46 Communications office at (847) 888-5000 ext. 5040. For more information, visit our website at www.u46cac.org or email Chairperson Natalie Olsen at chair@u46cac.org. The more parents that get involved in CAC, the stronger our collective voice will be…and the greater our impact on the continued improvement of education in U-46. CAC – Your Voice in U-46 Education!