WELLINGTON COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BY-LAWS

Transcription

1 WELLINGTON COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE BY-LAWS REVISED 09/17

2 WELLINGTON COMMUNITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE BY-LAWS Section One: Introduction 1.1 This advisory council is established pursuant to Florida Statute Section This committee shall be known as the Wellington Community Elementary School Advisory Council or, for convenience, WCESAC or SAC. The school advisory council shall be the sole body responsible for final decision making at the school relating to the implementations of the provisions of ss (16) and The WCESAC has been formed to carry out the mandates of section , and (16), as elaborated by the Palm Beach County School Dist. 1.4 The WCESAC is a resource for the school community. It s function is to develop a School Improvement Plan that will serve as a framework for school improvement, to oversee and to implement systematic evaluation. Section Two: Membership 2.1 The membership shall be representative of the community served by the school. The SAC shall strive to have appropriately balanced numbers of teachers, parents, support employees, business, and community members who are representative of the ethnic, racial and economic community served by the school with the majority of the voting membership (50 + 1%) being non-school district employees. 2.2 The SAC membership shall be elected as follows: 1). Teachers and support employees will be elected by their respective groups. 2). Parents, businesses and community members will be elected by the existing SAC membership. These members should exceed 50% of the total membership. 3). Replacement members shall be selected by appropriate constituencies.

3 2.3 A person s membership in SAC is terminated by any one of the following: A. Submitting a verbal or written statement of resignation to the principal of WES or the Chairman of the SAC. B. Unexcused absence from SAC meetings for two (2) consecutive meetings. Section Three: Meetings 3.1 It shall be the responsibility of the principal of WCES to call the first meeting of the school year during the month of September. At the initial meeting of each school year, officers shall be selected and a schedule of meetings shall be developed. The times and dates should be scheduled appropriately when most people can attend. 3.2 Meetings will be open to all members of the community. However, only SAC members may participate in the formation of consensus. 3.3 Special meetings may be called at any time by the principal and the chairperson concurring on the need for such. The principal and chairperson shall endeavor to give at least forty-eight (48) hours notice of any meetings scheduled for a date or time other than set forth in subparagraph 3.1. Notice shall be sent via or telephone to all members. 3.4 Meetings shall generally proceed according to the following agenda: A. Reading and approval of minutes from prior meeting. B. Agenda items C. Adjourn 3.5 Any member may submit an agenda item for consideration to the SAC chair. The chairs and principal will prioritize incoming agenda items and prepare the agenda prior to each meeting. Extraordinary items may be placed on the agenda at any time or by consensus. 3.6 Notice of all regularly scheduled SAC meetings and their proposed agendas shall be forwarded in writing to regular SAC members at least three (3) days prior. Items may be added to the agenda at the meeting if quorum is present. Section Four: Minutes 4.1 General minutes will be kept of each SAC meeting. The purpose of the minutes will be to record the consensus of the SAC, rather than to keep a detailed record of it s discussions.

4 4.2 Minutes will be provided to each SAC member at or before the subsequent meeting, and shall be available anytime through the administrative office or the SAC chair. Section Five: Standing Committees 5.1 Committees and Task Forces doing the business of the SAC shall be appointed by consensus of the membership both as to the need for the task force or subcommittee and persons appointed to said task forces and subcommittees on an as needed basis. 5.2 Other task forces or ad hoc committees may be formed at the discretion of the SAC. These committees, which must be chaired by a SAC member, may be formed to identify areas of concern, evaluate needs, make recommendations for action, and report for analysis and consensus their findings. Section Six: 6.1 General Rules A. In keeping with SAC objectives, its actions and recommendations are to be reached by consensus process. B. SAC does not operate under Parliamentary Procedure or Robert s Rules of Order. The chairperson shall recognize members and others to address the committee. C. Proxy votes are not permitted. Absentees may submit a short statement of position on a pending issue which will be read to the SAC before polling on that issue. D. Although SAC meetings are open to the entire community, only SAC members are polled for consensus or vote. A quorum must be present. E. With technical assistance from the Department of Education, the advisory council shall assist in the preparation of the school s annual budget and plan as required by s (1). F. The advisory council shall assist in the preparation and evaluation of the school improvement plan. G. A portion of the funds provided in the annual General Appropriations Act for use by school advisory councils must be used for implementing the school improvement plan. 6.2 Consensus A. Decisions and consensus of the SAC shall be made by majority vote of members in attendance at a meeting, provided that all decisions or consensus positions must be affirmed by at least a majority of the total membership.

5 B. If consensus is achieved on a position, that position may be reopened only by consensus process, unless the law or the school board require reconsideration. Distribution of a written report (minutes) of the consensus achieved at a prior meeting shall not reopen the consensus process on that position, but shall be for information purposes and for calling typographical errors to the preparer s attention for correction. Section Seven: Officers and Their Duties Terms of Office: 7.1 The term of office for the Chairperson is two years and is limited to one term. The term of office for all other officers is one year, and each person is eligible to serve for two consecutive terms in the same position. Nominations and Voting: 7.2 The principal will accept nominations for officers in writing or from the SAC committee itself provided the nominee has consented to being nominated. Officers will be elected by a majority of those voting. Vacancies: 7.3 If a vacancy occurs in any position before the term has expired, the position will be filled by consensus selection of those members volunteering from the SAC Officers and Responsibilities: 7.4 The officers of the SAC will be as follows: A. Chairperson Responsibilities: Chair all meetings of the SAC and serve as a de facto member on all committees. Maintain close contact with the principal, PTA, school bookkeeper, community, and businesses. Represent the SAC when called upon to do so. Keep the members of the SAC informed and up-to-date. Approve agenda with principal.

6 B. Co-Chairperson Responsibilities: Assist the Chairperson with executive duties. Assume the responsibilities of the chair in his or her absence. C. Secretary Responsibilities: The secretary is to keep general minutes of regularly scheduled meetings of the SAC and to provide copies of the minutes to members who request such. The minutes will be made available in the administrative offices of the school. The secretary will handle any correspondence approved by the SAC. Completion of Term: 7.5 Upon the completion of their terms, each officer will remit to their successor any and all materials pertaining to their office. Principal: 7.6 The principal of WCESAC shall serve in the position of advisor and observer to the WCESAC and is also a voting member. He/she shall serve as a resource providing information regarding the school educational plan. The roll also includes the development, through positive actions, of feelings and trust and mutual regard among the SAC, the community and staff. The principal arranges for presentations of interest to the SAC and encourages leadership from within the council. Section Eight: 8.1 The by-laws may be amended at any time by consensus. 8.2 No amendment shall have the effect of terminating the current membership of any member, unless such amendment is required by state law or school district policy.