In order to sustain a learning and caring community in which all adults feel respected and all children feel valued and motivated to learn and achieve, the work of the teams is driven by three guiding principles that nurture a positive climate. Decision by consensus discourages voting on issues because voting results in losers who may feel that they have no stake in the decision that is made. Collaboration , without paralyzing the principal or any other individual, requires respect for other points of view and a willingness to work cooperatively as part of a team. These guiding principles permit the development and implementation of creative ways of dealing with problems, using the collective good judgement of school staff and parents. The meeting is convened and led by the chairperson, who is usually the principal.
Meetings begin and end on time.
Planning and decision making for all activities in the school are funneled through the SPMT process. Instead it coordinates and integrates all activities of the school. The SPMT consists of representatives of every constituent group within the school community selected by their peers. The SPMT agenda is developed by the chairperson, with input from the members of the SPMT and various subcommittees. An SPMT meeting is characterized by straight, descriptive talk that is nonjudgmental.