School Site Council 2015-2016

WESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL School Site Council Bylaws

 

Article 1

Duties of School Site Council

 

Section A: Duties

The School Site Council of Westwood Elementary School, herein after referred to as the council, shall carry out the following duties:

• Obtain recommendations for, and review of the proposed Single Plan for Student Achievement, Comprehensive School Safety Plan, Discipline Policy, Homework Policy and Technology Plan from all school advisory committees

• Develop and approve the plan and related expenditures in accordance with all state and federal laws and regulations

• Recommend the plan and expenditures to the governing board for approval

• Provide ongoing review of the implementation plan with the principal, teachers and other and other school staff members

• Make modifications to the plan when the need arises

• Submit the modified plan for the governing board whenever a material change (as defined in district governing board policy) is made in planned activities or related expenditures

• Annually, (and at each semester, trimester etc.) evaluate the progress made toward school goals to raise the academic achievement of all students

• Carry out all other duties assigned to the council by the district governing body and by state board.

• If in the event the English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC) delegates its responsibilities to the school site council for a period of two years: at the end of two years, the principal must again form the school’s ELAC, which again may consider delegating its responsibilities to the school site council. State mandated purposes of the ELAC are:

   

• To assist the school in writing a plan that explains how the school will be helping students learn English.

 

1. To assist the school in identifying the needs of students, parents, teachers.

2. To review data on ELL students’ academic performance

3. To assist the school in identifying students who are learning English

4. To assist the school in communicating with parents.

 

Article II

Members

 

Section A: Composition

The council does not discriminate against any culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, or disability. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, students, families, and stakeholders.

The council shall be composed of ten (10) members, selected by peers as using an official ballot as follows:

• Three classroom teachers. Representatives of classroom teachers selected by classroom teachers of the school.

• One other school personnel. Other school personnel selected by other school personnel.

• Five community members or parents. Parents of pupils attending the school or other community members selected by parents.

• The school principal shall be an ex officio member of the council

Ballots are kept in the office for five years.

At both the elementary and secondary levels, “other school personnel” shall be interpreted to include such persons as classified (clerical, instructional assistants, noon supervisors, custodians), support personnel (librarians, speech therapists, psychologists), and /or administrative personnel (vice-principals, student service coordinators).

“Parents” mean a person who is the mother, father, or legal guardian, or one acting in loco parentis of a pupil attending this school. Council members chosen to represent parents may be employees of the school district so long as they are not employed at this school site.

 

Article III

Nominations/Elections

 

Section A: Term of Office

Council members shall be elected for two-year terms. Half, or the nearest approximation thereof, of each representatives group shall be elected during even years. At the first regular meeting of the council, each member’s current term of office shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

 

Section B: Voting Rights

Each member is entitled to one vote and may cast that vote on any matter submitted to a vote of the council. Absentee ballots shall not be permitted.

 

Section C: Termination of Membership

A member shall no longer hold membership should he/she cease to be a resident of the area or no longer meets the membership requirements under which he/she was selected.

Any elected member may terminate his/her membership by submitting a written letter of resignation to the council chairperson.

The council may, by an affirmative vote of the quorum of its members, remove a member.

 

Section D: Transfer of Membership

Membership on the council may not be assigned or transferred.

 

Section E: Alternates

Electing non-voting alternative members, who become voting members in the event of a mid-term vacancy on the council, assures site council continuity.

 

Section F: Vacancy

Any vacancy on the council occurring during the term of a duly elected member shall be filled by one of the following:

1) Regular elections  

2) Appointment by the council for the period of time until the next    regular election

3) Or the seating of a previously elected alternate member to fill the remainder of the term of the vacant seat.

 

Article IV

Officers

 

 

Section A: Officers

The officers of the council shall be a chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, and other officers the council may deem desirable.

The chairperson shall:

• Preside at all meetings of the council

• Sign all letters, reports and other communications of the council

• Perform all duties incident to the office of the chairperson

• Have other such duties as are prescribed by the council

The vice chairperson shall:

• Represent the chairperson in assigned duties

• Substitute for the chairperson in his/her absence

The secretary shall:

• Keep minutes of all regular and special meetings of the council

• Transmit true and correct copies of the minutes of such meetings to members of the council

• Provide notices in accordance with these bylaws

   

• Keep a register of names, addresses, and telephone numbers of each member of the council, the chairpersons of the school advisory committees, and others with whom the council has regular dealings, as furnished by those persons

• Perform other such duties as are assigned by the chairperson of the council

 

Section B: Election and Terms of Office

The officers shall be elected annually, at the first meeting of the council, and shall server for two years, or until each successor has been elected.

 

Section C: Removal of Officers

Any officer may be removed from their office by a quorum vote of all members.

 

Section D: Vacancy

A vacancy in any office shall be filled at the earliest opportunity by a special election of members of the council, for the remaining portion of the term of office.

 

Article V

Committees

 

 

Section A: Sub-committees

The council may establish and abolish sub-committees of their own membership to perform duties as shall be prescribed by the council. At least one member representing teachers and one member representing the parents shall make up the committee. No sub-committee may exercise the authority of the council.

 

 

Section B: Terms of Office

The council shall determine the terms of office for members of a committee

 

Section C: Rules

Each committee may adopt rules for its own government not inconsistent with these bylaws or rules adopted by the council, or policies of the district governing board.

 

Section D: Quorum

A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum, unless otherwise determined by the council. The act of the majority of the members present shall be the act of the committee, provided a quorum is in attendance.

 

Section E: Vacancy

A vacancy in the membership of any committee may be filled by an appointment made in the same manner as provided in the case of the original appointment.

 

Article VI

Meetings

 

 

Section A: Meetings

This council shall meet regularly on the fourth Monday of the month with the exception of the month December. Special meetings of the council may be called by the chairperson or by a majority vote of the council.

 

Section B: Place of Meetings

The council shall hold its regular meetings at a facility provided by the school, unless such a facility is not accessible to the public, including handicapped persons. Alternate meeting places may be determined by the chairperson or majority vote of the council.

 

Section C: Notice of meetings

Written public notice shall be given of all meetings at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Changes in the established date, time location shall be given special notice. All meetings shall be published in the school newsletter, The Wire, and the school announcement board. Posting of the meeting agenda constitutes public notice.

All required notices shall be delivered to the council and committee members no less than 72 hours in advance of meetings.

 

Section D: Quorum

A quorum is half of the School Site Council members plus one.

 

Section E: Decision of the Council

The act of a majority of the members present shall be the act of the council, provided a quorum is in attendance, and no decision may otherwise be attributed to the council.

 

Section F: Conduct of Meetings

Meetings of the council shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of order established by the Education Code Section 3147, and with Robert’s Rules of Order or an adaptation thereof approved any the council.

 

Section G: Meeting Open to the Public

All meeting of the council, and of committees established by the council, shall be open to the public. Notice of such meetings shall be provided in accordance with Section C of the article.

 

 

 

 

Article VII

Amendments

An amendment of these bylaws may be made at any regular meeting of the council by a vote of the majority of members present. Written notice o the proposed amendment must be submitted to council member at least 72 hours prior to the meeting at which the amendment is to be considered for adoption.

 

The bylaws will be reviewed annually and updated every two years.