House Bill 1 requires all school districts to appoint a Family and Civic Engagement (FCE) team. The intent of the plan is for schools, families and communities to work together to fulfill family and civic engagement requirements for Ohio's schools and to ensure that all children have the supports needed to graduate from high school and be prepared for additional educational experiences, the workforce and healthy lifestyles.
By June 30, 2010, school districts must appoint their FCE team and submit a 5-year family and civic engagement plan to their local Family and Children First Council (FCFC). The FCE team is to work with the FCFC to write a job description for the position of FCE coordinator. Thereafter, the FCE team is to provide annual progress reports to the FCFC.
Ohio Revised Code 3313.821 allows the board to determine the membership of its FCE team, but requires the team to include parents, community representatives, health and human services representatives, business representatives, and any other representatives identified by the board. As an alternative to appointing both a business advisory council and FCE team, Ohio Revised Code 3313.822 allows the board of education for a city and exempted village school district to appoint one committee to function as both. However, this singular committee must perform all functions of both the business advisory council and the FCE team as required by statute.
A sample board resolution to appoint an FCE team can be found on the Ohio Department of Education's website.