PAUL BANKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SITE-BASED COUNCIL
BY-LAWS
PHILOSOPHY OF PAUL BANKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
PHILOSOPHY It is the philosophy of Paul Banks Elementary School to offer equal educational opportunities to all students enrolled here. The staff will strive to meet the individual needs of the students and will do all they can to prepare them mentally and physically to meet the challenges of their world. The staff members will emphasize good scholarship, citizenship, patriotism, respect for others and their beliefs, and good health habits by assisting each student to develop intellectually, morally, socially, emotionally and physically. The staff members also feel that enlightened persons know their world and accept the responsibility for living effectively in it. The school will help the students to know and understand their world as our collective personnel cooperate with the home, the school district and other public institutions within the community as they also affect the student’s future.
ARTICLE I: Purpose
The major focus of the Paul Banks Site-Based Council will be to provide direction and leadership. It is an advisory body committed to joint planning and problem solving processes for improving student learning.
The Site-Based Council should foster a cooperative process that allows the community, school staff and administration to assist in developing the education programs of the school and to enhance educational accountability.
Individual members of the Council will bring ideas to and from their constituent group and act as “people of goodwill” making the best decision for the students of the school.
ARTICLE II: Membership
1. The Site Council shall be made up of:
a. Building Principal
b. Three parents (Building staff are not eligible for this category)
c. Two building Teachers ( 1 Regular Ed, 1 Special Service)
d. One member from classified association
e. One Non-Parent community member
ARTICLE III: Selection Process
1. Site Council members, excluding the principal, shall be elected for one year terms. Members are eligible for re-election.
2. Teachers (certified members) and support staff members shall be assigned to Paul Banks Elementary for a minimum of 50% of their working schedule, and selected by the membership represented.
3. Parent members must have a student enrolled at Paul Banks Elementary during the year of membership.
4. The parent members may include the PTO Board President and two other parents selected by the current site council.
5. The non-parent community member shall be nominated to the committee by the Council or the building principal. The selection must be approved by the Council and the principal.
ARTICLE IV: Site Council Responsibility
1. Implement the recommendations of the school’s self-evaluation.
2. Objectively and effectively serve as a vehicle of communication for staff and community.
3. Provide an opportunity for the staff and community to be a part of the school’s decision making process.
4. Help the school management establish an educational environment conducive to increase student and teacher productivity and performance.
5. Assist in the formulation and implementation of educational goals and of the school district & building goals.
6. Promote the team approach in program delivery.
7. Be an advocate for primary students and Paul Banks Elementary School.
8. Encourage parenting skills.
9. Appoint committees as needed to accomplish the business of school & district as they pertain to the role and business of the building steering committee.
ARTICLE V: Attendance & Decision Making
1. Attendance is mandatory to participate in decision making process.
2. Absences – The Chairperson or principal must receive notification of absence in advance.
3. A quorum of 5 members must be present to make a decision.
4. When possible all members are to particpate in the consensus process.
ARTICLE VI: Meeting Dates/Times/Agenda
1. After school, meetings will be held on the third Monday of each month starting in September and ending in April, except for December.
2. Additional site council meeting may be held as needed.
3. Faculty Conference Room – 3:30 P.M.
4. Length of meeting will be no longer than 1 1/2 hours.
5. When decisions are made, total support will be given to that decision.
6. Agenda items must be written or turned in advance.
7. Site Council representatives must poll personnel for input on agenda items.
8. The building administrator will be responsible for the agenda and having it published.
9. General meetings are open to the public.
ARTICLE VII: Leadership
1. A Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson will be selected by a majority of the Council members.
2. A recorder will be selected among the membership of the Site Council. The recorder will be responsible for assisting the administrator in recording the minutes of the Council meeting.
3. The building principal has the right to Veto or Delay decisions.
ARTICLE VIII: Site Council Self-Evaluation
1. The Site Council will engage in a self-evaluation each Spring.
ARTICLE IX: Appeals To The Site Council
Appeal of Opinion: If the appeal of a site decision is based on a difference of opinion on an issue, the complainant(s) shall place their objection in writing and submit it to the chairperson, who shall place it on the agenda at the next meeting of the Site Council providing the complaint(s) has been submitted in a timely fashion, that is five days prior o the next meeting. The complaint must specify the following:
1. The exact nature of the complaint
2. The relief sought
After the Council has considered the issue as defined in the appeal the determination of the Council shall stand and that decision shall not be subject to further appeal.
Appeal of an alleged violation of Council Bylaws, Board of Education Policy, Act of Discrimination, or Violation of a Right: If the appeal is based upon an alleged violation of a Council bylaw, Board of Education policy, act of discrimination, or violation of a right protected by law or regulation, the complainant shall place their objection in writing and submit it to the chairperson, who shall place it on the agenda at the next meeting of the Council providing the complaint has been submitted in a timely fashion as defined above. The complaint must specify the following:
1. The nature of violation
2. The specific bylaw, policy, or regulation which has been violated
3. The manner in which the bylaw, policy, or regulation was violated
4. The relief which is sought (what you want the council to do)
After the Council has heard the complaint and reached a decision, the chairperson will place the decision in writing and forward the response to the complainant(s). If the complainant(s) is dissatisfied with the determination of the council an appeal can be lodged with the superintendent of schools who will conduct a meeting to discuss the issue with the complainant(s) after which the Superintendent will render a decision. Appeals beyond the Superintendent may be lodged with the Board of Education.
ARTICLE X: Amendments of Bylaws
1. Amendments to the bylaws shall be made by consensus of the membership, provided the proposed amendment has been presented for discussion at the previous meeting. By-laws will be reviewed annually by the Council.