Americas Advisory Committees

Purpose of the School Advisory Committee (SAC)

The School Advisory Committee (SAC), as mandated by Section 928 of Title 20 and Section 2164(d) of Title 10, is established at each DoDEA school to strengthen the educational environment for students. Comprised of parents, teachers, and other stakeholders with a vested interest in quality education, the SAC advises the principal and installation advisory committee on school-related matters. Its key purposes include:

Advising on Policies and Programs: Recommending actions to ensure effective policies and programs support the delivery of quality education.
Fostering Collaboration: Promoting communication among administrators, military leaders, parents, and students to align efforts with educational goals.
Addressing Issues: Providing a coordinated process to identify and resolve challenges at the school level, facilitating problem-solving and recommending actions to appropriate officials.
Enhancing Educational Outcomes: Supporting initiatives that improve the academic and overall experience for students.

SAC meetings are open to the public, and parents are encouraged to contact their local school to learn more about how to get involved.

Purpose of the Installation Advisory Committee (IAC)

The Installation Advisory Committee (IAC), as mandated by Section 928 of Title 20 and Section 2164(d) of Title 10, is established at military installations hosting multiple DoDEA schools to enhance the educational environment for military-connected students. Comprised of elected representatives from School Advisory Committees (SACs)—sponsors, parents, legal guardians, and professional school employees along with nominations from DoDEA School Principals and military commanders, the IAC advises both the Community Superintendent and the local military installation commander on issues concerning dependents’ education within their jurisdiction. Its key purposes include:

Advising on Educational and Support Issues: Addressing concerns affecting the educational environment, including recommending actions to ensure schools receive adequate support from military services, such as facilities, funding, and programs.
Fostering Collaboration: Promoting communication between DoDEA School Principals, military installation commanders, and the community to facilitate problem-solving and recommend actions to appropriate officials.
Reviewing and Resolving Issues: Soliciting recommendations, concerns, and issues regarding local DoDEA schools—either formally or informally—jointly with the DoDEA School Principal(s) and installation commander(s) for review and resolution, forwarding unresolved matters to the next appropriate level.
Enhancing Educational Outcomes: Supporting policies and initiatives that improve the academic experience for students by ensuring alignment between military support and educational needs.

When only one DoDEA school exists on an installation, the SAC serves as the IAC, with the military installation commander attending as a non-voting member. For installations with two or more schools, the IAC includes representatives from each SAC, and the commander or their designee (e.g., the Service’s school liaison officer) is encouraged to attend. Community Superintendents determine the IAC’s composition and meeting times. By facilitating collaboration and communication, the IAC ensures that DoDEA schools on the installation are well-supported to meet the needs of military families.

This structure aligns with the broader governance changes outlined in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025.

Americas schools will transition to SAC effective school year 2025-26.

Advisory Committee FAQs

What kinds of matters can stakeholders bring to the Advisory Committee(s)?

Stakeholders can bring forth to advisory committees any school-related, non-personnel matters such as educational programs, resources, services, and policies.
If the issue involves an individual DoDEA employee, student or school volunteer, the DoDEA Chain of Command is the appropriate path for prompt resolution:

Classroom Teacher
School Administration
Community/District Superintendent's Office
Region Office & Administration
DoDEA Headquarters

What is the process for becoming a member of an Advisory Committee?

Parents, sponsors, guardian from DoDEA schools and full-time employees can serve as voting members on School Advisory Committees (SAC) and Installation Advisory Committees (IAC). For high schools, a student representative also serves as a voting member. These members are elected through a public election process. Non-voting members on advisory committees include the principal, installation commander or designee, and others.

Please contact your school for specific information on how to run in the next SAC/IAC election. Each year elections are held to select new members representing parents and DoDEA employees.

The size of a SAC is dependent on student enrollment numbers at that school and can range from 2 to 10 voting members.

The size of the IAC depends on the number of DoDEA schools on the military installation.

Do DoDEA Advisory Committee members ever participate in deciding matters affecting employees or students?

Employee relations and student conduct are matters handled by the Community Superintendent, principals, and administrative staff.

Do DoDEA Advisory Committees have the same authority as school boards for local education agencies?

No, generally the school board for a local education agency makes the policy and rules for schools in that particular school district; the Superintendent and staff implement the school board's policy. DoDEA Advisory Committees act in an advisory capacity, providing input to the Community Superintendent and administrators in the areas of fiscal, personnel and educational policies, procedures and programs. The DoDEA District Superintendent makes final decisions on matters affecting the school district.

Why can't DoDEA Advisory Committees make the rules which govern a particular DoDEA school or district?

The statute which authorizes DoDEA defines the roles of Advisory Committees. Also, because DoDEA advisory committee members are not officers or employees of the United States as defined in the "appointments clause" of the Constitution, they may not exercise discretionary governmental authority such as taking personnel actions, expending appropriated funds, or establishing governmental policies.

What happens if the Advisory Committee disagrees with how the Community Superintendent wants to handle a particular issue?

The Community Superintendent and Installation Advisory Committees should always attempt to find common ground on issues. However, DoDEA Superintendents are ultimately responsible for the operation of the school district. In rare instances, a Community Superintendent may find it necessary to take an action with which the Advisory Committee(s) might not agree. The Community Superintendent should then provide the Advisory Committee with the rationale for that action. If necessary, either the Community Superintendent or the Installation Advisory Committee members may ask for assistance from the Regional Director of Student Excellence.

Is training available for new SAC/IAC committee members?

Yes, all SAC/IAC members receive training so they may better understand the rules which govern the operation of the SAC and the IAC.