Brier School Site Council By-Laws

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Brier School Site Council.

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVE

The School Site Council (SSC) is all-inclusive and coordinates all school programs under one umbrella group. The objective of this committee is to provide an opportunity for parents and staff to:

  • Participate in the planning, approval and implementation of the total Brier School program.
  • Participate in the assessment and ongoing evaluation of children in the program annually.
  • Communicate the goals of the program to the community.
  • Assist in the appraisal of needs and resources in the school and community.
  • Approve and monitor the SLIBG (School Library Improvement Block Grant) budget, and other categorical and special funding such as One Time Money and Title I.
  • Be responsible for control system to prevent loss, damage or theft of equipment purchased with SLIBG funds.
  • Oversee and approve the SPPA (Single Plan for Pupil Achievement).

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

  1. The SSC shall include parity between parents and staff members of the Brier Elementary School. Half of the members include the principal, classroom teachers and other school personnel: The Brier School SSC will make its best effort to have half parents or other community members not employed at the school site. Classroom teachers are a majority of the first group.
  1. Members of the following group are selected by their peers at the school: Teachers, other school personnel and parents of students attending the school. Community members, if selected, are selected by parents or teachers of students attending the school. Every attempt is made to have SSC members represent second language learners, special education, GATE, Title I, and regular education.
  1. Representatives are elected by their peers. There are no limitations of terms unless stated at the time of election.
  1. Election of parent representatives will take place in the spring if necessary. Election of staff representatives will take place at the first staff meeting in September and posted in the school newsletter.
  1. In the event any member of the Council should resign, the replacement will be selected by members of the group in which the vacancy occur.
  1. SSC will have an English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) sub group made up of the principal, SSC parent representative and a membership of ELL (English Language Learner) parents, as a goal in at least the same percentage as there are ELL students at the school if possible. The SSC/ELAC representative will attend the district’s English Learner Advisory Committee meetings. The function of the ELAC will be to advise the principal and staff in:

1)The development of the school plan in second language learners education submitted to the governing board.

2)Administration of the school’s language census.

3)Efforts to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.

4)Conducting the school’s needs assessment.

5)Funding recommendations.

  1. SSC will have a Title I Committee (or sub group) made up of the principal, Title I staff members, and Title I parents of eligible students. The Title I representative will attend the district’s Title I meetings. The function of the Title I Committee will be to advise the principal and staff in:
  1. The development of the school plan with regards to Title I students’ education.
  2. Efforts to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance, academics and behaviors.
  3. Conducting the school’s needs assessment.
  4. Funding recommendations.

ARTICLE IV – MEMBER’S DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. All members elect officers at the first SSC meeting of each school year. Elected positions are: Chairperson/President, Secretary and District Site Council Representative.
  1. Chairperson/President’s duties:
  • Preside at all meetings of the SSC.
  • Assist in the development of the agenda for meetings.
  • Present school plan and sign approval of the plan.
  • Decide which votes are a consensus and which are majority rules.
  • Attend workshops, seminars and conferences.
  • A co/chair position is acceptable.
  1. Secretary’s duties:
  • Take the minutes for all SSC meetings.
  • Prepare the minutes for distribution to members.
  • Position will be on rotating or annual basis.
  1. District Site Council Representative’s Duties (Principal or designee):
  • Attend district meetings held at the District Office.
  • Present information from district meetings to the SSC.
  • Concerns of site brought to District.
  1. All Members’ Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Attend monthly SSC meetings.
  • Act as liaison between the school and the school community.
  • Be knowledgeable about the school plan, school programs and the student population.

ARTICLE V – MEETINGS

  1. SSC shall meet once a month on a day and time agreed to by its membership, currently the third Tuesday of every month.
  1. Special meetings may be called by the chairperson with 24-hour notice to all members.
  1. Quorum: 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. A quorum constitutes 60 percent of members present (2/3 majority members present).
  1. All SSC meetings shall be public meetings with dates and times posted at least one week prior to meetings.
  1. A summary of meeting highlights will appear in the principal’s newsletter within two weeks of the meetings.
  1. Minutes of all SSC meetings will be posted on the Parent Bulletin Board and Brier web site prior to the next meeting.
  1. Presenters at SSC meetings may be limited to five minutes each and each issue may be limited to a total of 30 minutes. Time limitations to be determined by the Chairperson. If non-members wish to address an issue at SSC meetings, they MUST request, in writing, to have that issue placed on the agenda one week prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE VI – DECISION MAKING

  1. Consensus, rather than a majority vote, will govern decision making. If a member is unable to attend a meeting, it is the responsibility of that member to notify the Chairperson/President or site principal. A proxy vote is acceptable.
  1. The Chairperson/President decides which decisions require a majority rule.

ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS

  1. By-laws will be formally reviewed, and revisited as necessary, on odd-numbered years.
  1. By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote at any regular meeting, provided notice is given at previous meeting.

ARTICLE VII – BUDGET

  1. SLIBG funds are used to improve student achievement and school/student safety.
  1. SSC participates in all budget changes.
  1. All items which fall in SLIBG budget accounts and do not exceed $500 per purchase order may be purchased by the principal. In the event SSC disallows the expenditure, payment must be made from the school budget. Discretionary fund to be $2,000 if budget constraints allow.
  1. A budget update will be presented at each meeting.
  1. Copies of the approved budget will be posted on the Parent Bulletin Board and Brier web site.
  1. Expenditures in the budget should match the needs of students as reflected in the plan’s objectives.
  1. The following budgets are to be overseen and approved by SSC. They are to be used to improve student achievement.
  • EIA
  • ELAP
  • GATE
  • Title I
  • Certain State grants

Revised 10/11/2018