Desert Ridge High School Council Bylaws March 24, 2016 Article I: Desert Ridge High School Council Desert Ridge High School Council 10045 E. Madero Ave Mesa, AZ 85209 Article II: Belief Consistent with its adopted theory of action, Managed Performance Empowerment (Theory of Action), the Governing Board believes that the success of the school, and the students it serves, is the shared responsibility of the school staff, parents or legal guardians and community members. Article III: Purpose The purpose of this council shall be to act as an advisory committee to the school administration by providing input from all stakeholders into the decision making process regarding areas of school improvement. The School Council is the primary school advisory body devoted to achieve its mission and goals. Toward this end, the School Council will focus on the following: Review and approval of the school budget Provide feedback on the school s Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) Review and approve the school s annual marketing and partnership development plan, if there is a documented plan. Review and distribute the results of the school s annual School Climate Survey Provide recommendations to distribute the school s non designated tax credit funds 1
Contribute to the development of principal criteria and selection when there is a vacancy Identify parent training needs related to the school s strategic priorities Other significant areas of school improvement as identified by the School Council. Article IV: Membership A. The School Council shall take into consideration the ethnic composition of the local community and be comprised of: The principal,who will serve as Chairperson, unless the School Council votes otherwise after the first year of the initial council. Two (2) parents or guardians of students enrolled in the school who are not employed by the District at Desert Ridge High School. Two (2) teachers from within the school One (1) non certificated employee from within the school One (1) community member, if available One (1) student B. There shall be an equal number of parents and teachers on the council. C. Each stakeholder group will be solicited in choosing its representative, after the first year of the initial council. D. Each member shall have one vote, when voting occurs. E. A vacancy prior to the term expiring will be publicized in a school communication and/or staff newsletter asking for self nominations. The School Council shall approve and appoint the new member. The new member shall serve until the end of the current year. F. A member shall no longer hold membership if no longer a resident/open enrollment in the community or no longer meets the requirements of selection. 2
G. Membership shall automatically terminate for any member who is absent from two consecutive regularly scheduled meetings and upon the majority vote of the council members. H. Resignations will be accepted only upon written notice to the principal. I. After the initial council year, selection of new members shall be held by the month of May so the members are in place for your school s first meeting in August. Members will serve on two year alternating terms within representative groups. For the initial council, one parent, one teacher, the non certified member, and community member will serve a one year term in order to create an alternating structure. Thereafter, terms will be held for 2 years, with the exception of the student role, which will be a 1 year term. Initial Council 2016 2017: Principal Parent 1 1 year Parent 2 2 years Teacher 1 1 year Teacher 2 2 years Non certified member 1 year Student 1 year Community Member (if available) 1 year Article V: Roles of the Membership: All members of the School Council are considered equal. The School Council shall strive to make decisions and recommendations by consensus rather than by vote. The officers of this council shall be the chairperson and a recording secretary. Officers shall be elected at the first meeting of the new school year and assume their duties at the following meeting. The term for officers is one year 3
except for the chairperson which is the principal unless another chair is elected by the majority of the members after the initial year of the council. Chairperson (Principal): A. The principal shall act as Chairperson of the council unless the council votes otherwise after the first year of the council. B. The principal shall preside over all meetings and advise the council on topics such as policy, regulations, mandates, standards and objectives. C. The principal shall prepare the agenda using input from the council and make public to the school community no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting. D. The principal, or designee, shall communicate with the remaining council members regarding meeting times, minutes, and other business for the council. E. The principal shall have veto power in the event that there is a violation of Arizona Revised Statutes, Gilbert Public School Policy and Administrative Regulations or an action will not serve in the best interest of the school or students. Recorder: A. The recorder shall be a voluntary member of the council. B. The recorder shall take minutes of the meeting. The minutes will be given to the principal who shall review them for accuracy. The recorder will then distribute the minutes via email to the members in a timely manner and before the next meeting. C. The minutes will include date, time, place, attendance, agenda items and a description of actions proposed, discussed and accepted. D. Minutes will be available for public inspection. Article VI: Meetings 4
A. The School Council shall hold a minimum of eight (8) meetings per year. B. All meetings will be held in a school facility. C. The council shall determine at the first meeting of each year what the schedule of meetings shall be for that year. This shall include meeting time, place and frequency. D. At the first meeting of the year the School Council shall determine the yearly agenda or needs for the year, recognizing that other items may be added to the agenda as the year progresses. E. Only items listed on the agenda can be discussed and open for action. F. Fifty percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum. G. If a quorum is not in attendance at a meeting and a decision must be made, the members shall consider: 1. tabling the motion 2. voting by proxy when absent members wishes are known 3. voting by phone H. All regular and special meetings of the School Council are open to the public and may be recorded. The audience may participate if there is an open call to the public by the chairperson. Article VII: Training School Council members shall attend required district wide training sessions on specific topics that relate to the responsibilities of the council such as budget training, Continuous Improvement Plans, etc. Article VII: Training Article VIII: Relationship with Parent Advisory Council The DRHS School Council and Parent Advisory Council are separate entities which shall support one another to benefit all students. Article IX: Committees 5
A. The chairperson shall appoint committees as he/she considers necessary at any time or as agreed upon by the majority of the members present. B. Committee members shall be appointed by the chairperson or as agreed upon by the majority of the members present. Article X: Evaluation A systematic evaluation process will be developed yearly by the School Council to obtain feedback and comments from the school community. Article XI: Changes to Bylaws These bylaws may be amended at any meeting by a two thirds vote of the membership. These bylaws have been adopted in final form on, by the Desert Ridge High School Council Members (Signatures) 6