SBDM Bylaws and Policies

Highland Elementary School

75 Tick Ridge Rd

Waynesburg, KY 40489

PH: 606-365-2768 FAX:606-365-1470

Web:

Table of Contents

Cover………………………………………………………………………………………...... 1

Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………...2

Operational Procedure: Authority of the Council and Principal…………………...... 3

Operational procedure: Election of SBDM members………………………………………....3

Operational Procedures: Council Training……………………………………………………5

Operational Procedures: Operating Council Meetings……………………………………….5

Operational Procedures: Recordkeeping…………….……..………………………………….7

Operational Procedures: Policy Development and Review…………………………………..7

Operational Procedures: Appeal of Decisions Process………………………………………..8

Primary Program Policy……………………………………………………………………….10

Consultation Policy……………………………………………………………………………..12

Principal Selection Policy………………………………………………………………………14

Alignment with state standards, technology use, and program appraisal………………….15

Committees Policy………………………………………………………………………………16

Discipline and Classroom Management Policy……………………………………………….17

Extracurricular Programs Policy……………………………………………………………...18

Instructional Practices Policy………………………………………………………………….19

Wellness Policy...... 20

Grading Policy for Music and PE……………………………………………………………..21

Schedule Policy………………………………………………………………………………….22

Space Policy……………………………………………………………………………………..23

Assignment of All instructional and non-instructional staff time…………………………...24

Assignment of Students to Classes and Programs……………………………………………25

Safety Policy…………………………………………………………………………………….26

Job Assignments………………………………………………………………………………..28

Selection of Instructional Materials, Textbooks, and Student Support Services…………..29

Budget Development Policy……………………………………………………………………30

Assessment Policy………………………………………………………………………………31

School Improvement Plan Policy……………………………………………………………...32

Professional Development Plan Policy………………………………………………………..34

Writing Policy…………………………………………………………………………………..35

Curriculum Policy……………………………………………………………………………...40

Parent Involvement Policy…………………………………………………………………….41

Emergency Plan Policy………………………………………………………………………...44

School Technology Policy……………………………………………………………………...47

Operational Procedure: Authority of the Council and

Principal

  1. Authority of the Principal

The principal shall serve as the school’s primary administrator and instructional leader. The principal shall have the authority over management functions not chosen by the council and authority to form committees in these areas. The principal shall be responsible to the superintendent or his/her designee. The principal shall be responsible for supervising the work of committees appointed by the council.

  1. Authority of the council.

The council, pursuant to state law, is a policy making body/

Reference KRS 160.345. (See appendix a)

The council shall have the authority to set and monitor school policies which shall provide an environment to enhance the student’s achievement and help the school meet the goals, (See appendix B), established by the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990.

Outside of a legally called council meeting, no council member other than the principal has decision making or administrative authority. The council shall have the authority to form the number and types of committees needed to carry out the policies set by the council.

The council also has any other authority granted to it by the local Board of Education.

Operational procedure: Election of SBDM members

  1. Composition of Council

The SBDM Council at Highland Elementary shall consist of three (3) teachers, two (2) parents, and the

principal provided state requirements for minority representation are met

  1. Eligibility

All certified employees assigned to the schools full or part-time are eligible to serve on the council. Parents who have a child enrolled in the school during the year he/she will serve on the council, who are not employees of the district, and who are not employees of the district, and who do not have a relative working in the school district, are able to serve on the council. Relatives shall be defined as father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, son-in-law or daughter in-law.

  1. Minority representation

For the purpose of school-based decision making, “minority” shall mean American Indian, Alaskan Native, African-American, and Hispanic, including persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Central or South American origin: Pacific Islander; or other ethnic group underrepresented in the school.

When the minority student enrollment at Highland Elementary school reaches or exceeds eight percent (8%) of the total student population, at least one of the school council members shall be a minority parent, teacher, or principal. Enrollment in the school on the proceeding October 1 shall be used to determine the percent of minority students.

Under these circumstances, if a council is formed without a minority representative then one or two shall be elected to the council by the following method:

  1. The principal shall within five working days from the election organize an election to elect a minority parent and a minority teacher to the council.
  2. Hold the election for minority representatives within ten working days 5 from the date of the election of other council members.
  3. The principal shall inform all parents of minority students’ enrollment in Highland Elementary School of the election purpose, time, date, and location.
  4. The principal shall inform minority teachers of the election process, time, date, and location.
  5. The principal shall call for nominations and prepare a ballot for both minority parents and teachers.
  6. The principal shall facilitate the meetings held for the purpose of election minority representatives to the school council.
  7. The principal shall report the results of the election to parents, faculty, and community.

If there are no minority teachers who are members of the faculty, an additional teacher member shall be elected by a majority of all teachers. Term liminations shall not apply for a minority teacher member who is the only minority on faculty.

  1. Terms

Council members are selected for two year terms with each service year beginning July1 and ending

June 30.

  1. Report Election Results

The principal shall report new council members to the public through the school newsletter.

  1. Filling Vacancies

In the event a vacancy on the council occurs, the vacancy shall be filled by the Respective group in the same way as in the original election to serve the balance of the term. The principal shall inform the respective group of the vacancy and help set a time line for completion of the election.

Operational Procedures: Council Training

A.Council Training

  1. Training will be provided for all council members.
  2. School council members serving less than twelve (12) months shall complete six (6) hours of training within thirty days of the beginning date of their term by a trainer endorsed by KDE in the legal aspects, process, and roles and responsibilities of SBDM.
  3. School council members serving one year or more shall complete three (3) hours of training.
  4. School council training shall be conducted by trainers endorsed by the KDE, and school council members shall complete the required training no later than thirty days after the beginning of the service year for which they are elected to serve.

Operational Procedures: Operating Council Meetings

  1. Types

Council Members shall attend three (3) types of meetings.

  1. Regular meetings held on a set day of the month and at a set time of the day.
  2. Special called meetings scheduled as they are needed between regular scheduled meetings.
  3. Training/planning meetings designed for council members to require members to require knowledge and or develop skills and develop plans for improving the school not completed within the committee

System.

  1. Schedule of Regular Meetings

The Highland Elementary school council shall meet every Third Tuesday of each month beginning at 3:45

in the school library.

  1. Special Meetings

Special Council meetings may be called by the chairman or a majority of the council. Time, place, and purpose shall be announced at the time the meeting is called.

  1. Agenda

Each regular and special council meeting shall operate by an agenda. The agenda shall be formed by the chairperson with items provided by council members. All business transacted by the council shall be by an agenda only. The agenda shall be approved by the council at the beginning of the meeting. Other items may be added to agenda by completing a request (form) to address the council available at the meeting. The agenda for regular meetings shall be written and disseminated prior to the meeting. The agenda for a regular meeting will be disseminated to all council members. Teachers and parents who are not on the council may recommend items for the agenda by contacting a council member. A person recommending an item must be present at the meeting for it to be discussed.

  1. Chairperson

The principal shall serve as the chairperson at all meetings. The responsibilities of the principal as chairperson shall not be delegated to any other member of the council or any other person.

  1. Decision

The primary method of making decisions shall be by consensus. An effort shall be made to thoroughly discuss all possible alternatives, provide everyone ample opportunity to be heard, and make a final choice that can be supported by the group. In the event consensus cannot be reached, a delay in making the decision shall be used as one alternative to help reach consensus. In the event a decision is necessary, the council may determine by consensus to use majority rule to make the decision. In the event of a tie, a special meeting will be called the following night to reach a decision.

  1. Quorum

Two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the council must be present for the council to make official decisions with at least one teacher and one parent present.

  1. Minutes

Minutes of all council’s regular and special meetings shall be recorded in writing and kept on file in the principal’s office. Minutes shall also be approved by the council and stored in a minute book. A copy of all minutes shall be provided to the superintendent as a means of keeping him/her informed.

  1. Open Meetings

All council meetings shall be open to the public except when personnel, legal issues affecting the council, or rights to privacy issues are under consideration. Under one or more of these conditions, a council may go into executive session. All decisions made by the council shall abide by the state’s open meetings law KRS (61.810) See Appendix D

  1. Recording Secretary

The chairperson and /or designee shall serve as recording secretary.

  1. Summary Report

A summary of the actions taken by the council shall be reported to all teachers, officers of the PTO, others affected by the councils’ decision, and the superintendent. The report shall be disseminated within three working days from the date of the meeting, when school is session.

  1. Input from Non-council Members

Those who are in attendance at the council meetings shall be provided an opportunity to discuss issues under consideration by the council by the following procedures;

  1. A sign-in sheet will be provided by topic for interested parties to indicate their interest in speaking on an issue.
  2. As each topic is discussed, the chairperson will call on speakers in the order they signed the sign-in sheet. Each speaker will be limited to five minutes. Input will be allowed before the council makes a decision.
  3. Input/reactions must be germane to the topic and must be within the authority of the council.
  4. After persons have spoken from the sign-in sheet, the chairperson will permit others to speak to the item under discussion provided their remarks are germane to the topic.
  1. Demeanor of the meeting

The following statement shall be read at the beginning of every meeting. “Council meetings will be conducted in a timely, orderly, and dignified manner. Mutual respect between council members and other active participants shall be of high priority at all meet

Operational Procedures: Recordkeeping

The council secretary shall take minutes. Minutes shall be compiled in a notebook for each school year. A copy of the minutes of the most recent meeting shall be provided to the superintendent. The principal shall provide access to council minutes to the public as required by the open records regulations

Operational Procedures: Policy Development and Review

  1. Council Governance

Policy Development and Review

All activities and decisions of the council shall be governed by policies set by the council shall be governed by policies set by the council. Policies shall include both operational procedures and management functions chosen by the council. All policies set by the council shall be consistent with the state statutes and board policies.

  1. Adoption

All policies shall require two readings before they are adopted. No policy shall be adopted by the council at the meeting in which the policy is introduced. All operation procedures and management function policies listed in this handbook shall be provided for review by the superintendent or his/her designee before they are adopted by the council.

  1. Policy Review

The council shall annually review all policies and make any changes that will improve the operations and productivity of the council. Revisions shall be made as needed in order to move effectively serve the school.

  1. Dissemination of Policy

Distribution of the school council policy manual makes it readily accessible to staff, students, board

members and the public. Instances when specific policy directly affects employees and/or students, the policy or excerpts will be copied and copies given to those affected. School policy will be discussed and/or disseminated during staff/student meetings.

  1. Amendments

The council may amend the operational procedures as needed.

  1. Procedure—a proposed amendment to these procedures must first be presented to the council in writing, who will refer it to an appropriate committee or consider the matter if necessary.
  2. Majority Requirement-a 2/3 vote of the council is required for the adoption of any amendment.

Operational Procedures: Appeal of Decisions Process

Any resident of the District or a parent, student or employee of the school may appeal Council decisions. Appealing a decision made by a school council shall include the following procedure.

  1. The first step in the appeals process shall be a review by the appropriate committee as designed or assigned by the Principal.
  2. The appeal and committee’s review report will then be reviewed by the school Council, which shall make a timely response to the appealing party.
  3. If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved by the Council, the appeal may then be submitted in writing to the Superintendent.
  4. If, within ten (10) calendar days, the matter is not satisfactorily resolved by the superintendent, the appealing party may, within twenty (20) calendar days, appeal to the Board. The Board shall afford the affected parties an opportunity to be heard within thirty (30) calendar days of the appeal to the board.
  5. The Board shall issue a final written decision on the appeal with its rationale no later than sixty (60) calendar days from the date of the presentation to the Board.
  6. At any point in the process the Board may direct a review and report on the issue, but shall not extend its decision beyond sixty (60) calendar days from the date of the presentation to the Board without the agreement of the affected parties.

The Board will determine whether the issue on appeal falls within the authority granted to the Council by KRS 160.345.

Actions that fall within the statutory authority of the Council will be reviewed on appeal based on whether the Council action raises liability and/or health and safety concerns, exceeds budgetary limitations, conflicts with contractual obligations, or was otherwise unlawful under state or federal law.

Actions that fall within the authority of the Board will be reviewed on appeals based on whether the Council action lacks educational merit, is inconsistent with District goals, violates District policy, exceeds the authority of the Council, raises liability and/or health and safety concerns, exceeds budgetary limitations, conflicts with contractual obligations or is otherwise unlawful under state or federal law.

When the appeal issue falls within statutory Council authority, the Board shall either

  1. affirm the Council decision or
  2. refer the appeal back to the Council with documentation of it concerns and suggestions.

When the appeal issue falls within the authority of the Board to decide, the Board shall either

  1. uphold the Council decision or
  2. reverse the Council action found to violate any of the review standards. KRS 160.345

Primary Program Policy

  1. Primary Program

Primary shall be defined as the part of Highland Elementary in which a child is enrolled from the time they enter kindergarten until they are ready to enter fourth grade.

  1. Enrollment in the Primary Program

Children entering the primary program must be five (5) by October 1, of a given year. Most children will complete primary in four years. However, children have up to 5 years of primary to develop the skills necessary for success in fourth grade. Exceptions will be decided on an individual basis.

The discussion to have a child spend a fifth year in the primary program shall be at the school level based on information completed from the documentation, data, and evidence provided by primary level teachers. The final decision will remain with the principal and teacher(s).

  1. Assignment of Staff to the Primary Program

Appropriately certified teachers will be assigned to the primary classrooms based on enrollment, not to exceed a cap size of 24. The exception to this class limit may only take place through SBDM action or board policy.

Instructional aides will be assigned to assist primary teachers as follows:

  • Kindergarten will receive 1 instructional assistant per classroom for the entire day.

Special needs teachers will be assigned based on caseload and requirements.

Art, Music, PE will be equitably assigned to students in grades K-5.

  1. Organization of the Primary Program

The primary program shall be organized to ensure the continuous progress of each child enrolled. Children will be placed in a homeroom and will be flexibly grouped for instruction according to their skill level. Children will work in the skills group or groups that best meet their individual needs.

Children entering Primary (K) will be assigned to first year primary classrooms. Teachers will prepare a balanced list of students for the next year. Final placement of students will be at the discretion of the principal after getting input from current teachers. Current teachers will meet with next year teachers of their students to discuss present levels of performance.