Local School Councils bring schools and communities together to solve education problems, improve academic achievement, provide support for teachers and administrators, and bring parents into the decision-making process. Each council consists of a minimum of seven members: four parents/guardians, two certified teachers, and the principal. Members are trained to organize meetings and develop School Council bylaws, understand advisory status and authority, recognize legal issues such as open meetings and open records laws and confidentiality, make recommendations to increase student achievement, and create a continuous improvement plan. Councils provide an opportunity for local school decisions by representing the interests of the school community to the principal, who in turn conveys the information to Regional Superintendents, the Superintendent, and, if necessary, the Board of Education.