Rolando Park Elementary
Bylaws
School Site Council
Article I
Name of Council
The name of this council shall be the Rolando Park School Site Council (SSC).
Article II
Role of Council
The Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) of which is a part of the comprehensive site plan, including a budget, shall be developed and approved by the School Site Council. The School Site Council, following approval of the SPSA by the school district governing board, shall have ongoing responsibility to review with the principal, teachers, and other school personnel, the implementation of the SPSA and to assess periodically the effectiveness of such a plan. Modifications to the plan or budget shall be developed, recommended, and approved or disapproved in the same manner. The council shall carry out all other duties and responsibilities assigned as stated in the Education Code of the State of California.
Article III
Authority
Section 1
The School Site Council is a decision-making council that makes recommendations regarding the School. Improvement and Compensatory Education Title 1 programs including the development and monitoring of the SPSA and School Based Coordinated Programs (SBCP) and Title 1 budgets. (Within appropriate district procedures, education codes, and collective bargaining agreements; and under the direction of the principal.) The School Site Council shall be empowered to make recommendations and decisions in the following areas related to the academic performance of students.
A. Curriculum
B. Academic Assessment
C. Academic Program
D. Budget
E. Staff Development
F. Parent/Community Involvement
G. Preview Policies and Procedures
H. Student Safety and Well Being
Section 2
Authority in areas no explicitly designated resides in the principal or the Board of Education as appropriate.
Section 3
Decision of the School Site Council shall be by a quorum (see Article 7 Section 6). Voting may be by either voice or a show of hands. No opportunity for impasse is available as discussion continues until consensus is reached.
Section 4
The administration shall ensure that members will be provided with reasonable access to all resources necessary to make and/or implement School Site Council decisions.
Article IV
Members
Section 1 - Size and Composition
The School Site Council shall follow the membership guidelines of the state and shall be composed of a minimum of 10 members, including ex-officio members. Ex-officio members are persons who are members of the board by virtue of a position held at the school. (The ex-officio member has all the privileges of committee membership.)
The needs and resources of the SPSA require that membership include broad representation of parents, students, and staff. Representation on the council shall be: The principal, representatives of teachers selected by teachers, other school personnel selected by other school personnel at the school, and parents of pupils attending the school selected by such parents. The council shall be constituted to ensure parity between (a) the principal, classroom teachers, and other school personnel and (b) equal numbers of parents and/or community.
Council members representing parents and/or community may be employees of the school district but may not serve as a parent representative at the site of employment. One council member will act as a liaison to Rolando Park's Governance Team.
Section 2 - Term of Office
All members of the council shall serve for a two-year term, unless there is a need to balance one vs. two-year terms, a one-year term can be served.
Section 3 - Voting Rights
Each member shall be entitled to one vote and may cast that vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the council. Absentee ballots shall not be permitted.
Section 4 - Termination of Membership
A member shall no longer hold membership should he or she cease to have a child at Rolando Park Elementary or no longer meets the membership requirements under which he or she was selected. Any member missing three or more consecutive meetings shall be contacted to see if interested in continuing on the School Site Council. The council, by affirmative vote of two-thirds of all of the members, provided a quorum is present, can suspend a member. An excused absence shall be called into the school office and an officer of the School Site Council will be notified.
Section 5 - Transfer of Membership
Membership in the School Site Council is not transferable or assignable.
Section 6 - Resignation
Any member may resign by filling a written resignation with the chairperson(s).
Section 7 - Vacancy
Any vacancy on the council shall be filled for the remainder of the school year by appointment by the chairperson(s). If the unexpired term is for another full year thereafter, the term for that year shall be filled by the regular election process.
Article V
Officers
Section 1 - Officers
The officers of the School Site Council may be two co-chairpersons and such other officers as the council may deem desirable. A parent may be one of the co-chairpersons.
Section 2 - Election and Term of Office
The officers of the School Site Council shall be elected in September and shall serve for one or two-year term, or until each successor has been elected.
Section 3 - Removal
Any officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote of all members sitting on the School Site Council whenever, in the judgment of the council, the best interests of the council would be served thereby.
Section 4 - Vacancy
A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise, shall by special election, be filled by the School Site Council, for the portion of the term.
Section 5 - Chairpersons
The chairpersons shall preside at all meetings of the School Site Council and may sign all letters, reports, and other communications of the School Site Council. In addition, the chairperson(s) shall perform all duties related to the office of the chairperson and such other duties as may be prescribed by the School Site Council from time to time. Chairpersons shall set the agenda, be a custodian of the School Site Council records; keep a register of the e-mail and telephone number of each member of the School Site Council.
Section 6 - Minutes
A School Site Council member volunteer shall keep the minutes of the meetings, both regular and special, of the School Site Council and shall provide copies to School Site Council members.
Article VI
Committees
Section 1 - Standing and Special Committees
The School Site Council may from time to time establish and abolish such standing or special committees as it may desire. No standing or special committee may exercise the authority of the School Site Council. Standing or special committees will report to and make recommendations to the School Site Council.
Section 2 - Membership
Unless otherwise determined by the School Site Council in its decision to establish a committee, the chairperson(s) of the School Site Council shall appoint members to the various committees.
Section 3 - Term of Office
Each member of a committee shall continue as such for the term of his or her appointment and until his or her successor is appointed, unless the committee shall be sooner terminated or abolished, or unless such member shall cease to qualify as a member thereof.
Section 4 - Rules
Each committee may adopt rules for its own government not inconsistent with these bylaws or with rules adopted by the School Site Council or with policies of the governing board.
Section 5 - Quorum
Unless otherwise provided in the decision of the School Site Council designating a committee, a majority of the committee shall constitute a quorum, and the act of a majority of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee.
Section 6 - 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 VII
Meets of the School Site Council
Section 1 - Regular Meetings
The School Site Council shall meet regularly at least 6 times per year, on the 3nd Thursday of each month, designated "general meetings." The schedule of meeting shall be determined by the School Site Council and principal. All general meetings shall be open to all school personnel, parents, and the public. Any person who wishes to address the School Site Council must be on the agenda or do so during the public forum portion of the meetings; time certain to be determined by the School Site Council. Meetings will be limited to one hour from designated starting time, unless extended by majority of SSC members present.
Section 2 - Special Meetings
Special meeting may be called by the chairpersons or by majority vote of the School Site Council.
Section 3 - Place of Meetings
The School Site Council shall hold its regular meetings and its special meetings at a site readily accessible by all members of the public, including handicapped persons.
Section 4 - Notice of Meetings
Public notice including the agenda of regular meetings shall be posted in the school office, parents and staff will be informed in English and Spanish, at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Any change in the established date, time or location must be given special notice. All special meetings shall be publicized. Any required notice shall be in writing; shall state the day, hour, and location of the meeting; and shall be delivered either personally or by nail or by e-mail to each member not less than seventy-two hours prior to such meeting.
Section 5 - Decision of the School Site Council
All decisions of the School Site Council shall be made only after an affirmative vote of a majority of its members in attendance, provided a quorum is in attendance.
Section 6 - Quorum
Majority of members (51% present) in order to constitute a quorum, for the transaction of the business of the School Site Council. No decision of the School Site Council shall be valid unless a majority of the quorum concur therein by their votes. If a quorum has not convened within 29 minutes from the designated starting time, the meeting will be canceled.
Section 7 - Conduct of Meetings
All regular and special meetings of the School Site Council shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rule of Order or in accordance with an appropriate adaptation thereof.
Section 8 - Meeting Open to the Public
All regular and special meetings of the School Site Council and of its standing or special committees shall be open at all times to the public. Any person who wishes to address the School Site Council must be on the agenda or may appear at a public forum; time certain to be determined by the school site council.