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School Site Council Information

Rita Ledesma School Site Council Bylaws

 

Ledesma Elementary School 

1001 Schoolhouse Road

San Jose, CA 95138

SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL BYLAWS 

ARTICLE I: Student Council

The name of this council shall be the Ledesma Site Council. 

ARTICLE II: Role of Council 

The school improvement plan shall be developed and recommended by the school site council. The school site council, following approval of a school improvement plan by the school district's governing board, shall have ongoing responsibility to review with the principal, teachers, and other school personnel the implementation of the school improvement program and to assess its effectiveness within the first two months. Modifications or any improvement to the plan shall be developed, recommended, and approved or disapproved in the same manner. The council shall carry out all other duties and responsibilities assigned to it by the Education Code of the State of California. 

ARTICLE III: Members 

SECTION 1-Composition: The minimum standards for representation on the council shall be the principal and representatives of teachers elected by the teachers at the school, other school personnel elected by other school personnel at the school, and parents of pupils attending the school elected by parents. The council shall be constituted to ensure parity between (a) the principal, classroom teachers, and other school personnel, and (b) parents and other community members selected by parents. Classroom teachers shall comprise the majority of those persons representing school staff. The membership of the council shall not exceed fourteen. Alternates are not required. 

SECTION 2-Members' Term of Office: All members of the council shall serve for a full two-year term. The term of office begins in October, after the general member election, which shall occur in September. To achieve staggered membership, during the first year of the council's existence, one-half of the parents and one-half of the teachers (excluding the principal) shall serve for a one-year term. The council will determine which representatives will serve for a one-year term. 

SECTION 3-Officers Term of Office: Officers shall remain as voting members of the committee until each successor is elected, at which time committee vacancies shall be filled in accordance with Article III, Section8. 

SECTION 4-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. The elected alternate shall vote in the absence of a representative. Absentee ballots shall not be permitted. 

SECTION 5-Termination of Membership: A member shall no longer hold membership should he or she cease to be a resident of the area or no longer meet membership requirements under which they were selected. Membership shall automatically terminate for any member who is absent from all regular meetings for a period of three consecutive meetings. The council, by affirmative vote of two-thirds of all members, can suspend or expel a member. 

SECTION 6-Transfer of Membership: Membership in the council is not transferable or assignable. 

SECTION 7-Resignation: Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the council. 

SECTION 8-Vacancy: Any vacancy on the council shall be filled for the remainder of the school year by appointment of an alternate member by the chairperson with the approval of a two-thirds majority of the committee. If the unexpired term is for another full year thereafter, the term for that year shall be filled by the regular selection process. 

ARTICLE IV: Officers 

SECTION 1-Officers: The officers of the council shall be elected from its voting representatives by its voting membership. The officers of the council shall be a chairperson, a vice chairperson and a recorder. 

SECTION 2-Officers Term of Office: The officers of the council shall be elected annually and shall serve for one year or until a successor is elected. 

SECTION 3-Removal: Any officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote of all voting members on the 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 shall be filled through a special election of the committee members for the unexpired portion of the term. 

SECTION 5-Chairperson: The chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the council and may sign all documents, letters, reports and other communications of the council. In addition, the chairperson shall perform all duties incident to the office of the chairperson and such other duties as may be prescribed by the council from time to time. 

SECTION 6-Vice Chairperson: The vice chairperson shall temporarily assume the duties of the chairperson whenever the chairperson is unable to perform his/her duties. 

SECTION 7-Recorder: The recorder shall: (1) Keep the minutes of the meeting, both regular and special, and shall promptly transmit to each of the members, to the school district, and to such other persons as the council may deem, true and correct copies of the minutes; (2) Provide public notice of the meeting date, time and location; (3) Be custodian of the council records; (4) Keep a register of the address, phone number and email of each member of the council, which shall be furnished to the recorder by the member. 

ARTICLE V: Committees 

SECTION 1-Standing and Special Committees: The council may, from time to time, establish and abolish such standing or special committees it may desire. No standing or special committee may exercise the authority of the council. 

SECTION 2-Membership: Unless otherwise determined by the council in its decision to establish a committee, the chairperson of the council shall appoint members to the various committees. Alternates may serve on committees. 

SECTION 3-Term of Office: Each member of a committee shall continue as such for the term of his/her appointment and until his/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. 

ARTICLE VI: Meetings 

SECTION 1-Meetings: The council shall meet at least four times each school year or as deemed necessary by a vote of the council. 

SECTION 2-Place of Meetings: The council shall hold its meetings in a facility agreed upon by a majority of the committee. 

SECTION 3-Quorum: The presence of 51% of the total membership shall be required to constitute a quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the council. 

  • (51% of 10-person membership = 6 members) 

SECTION 4-Decisions of SSC: All decisions of the council shall be made, provided a quorum is in attendance, only after an affirmative vote of a majority of its members in attendance. 

  • (Majority of 10-person voting membership = 6 votes) 
  • (Majority of 6-person voting membership = 4 votes) 

SECTION 5-Conduct of Meetings: All regular and special meetings of the council shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order. 

SECTION 6-Meetings Open to the Public: All regular and special meetings of the council shall be open to the public. 

ARTICLE VII: Bylaws 

SECTION 1-Bylaws: These bylaws may be amended at a regular or special meeting by a two-thirds affirmative vote by the voting members present at such meeting, provided a quorum is present. 

  • (2/3s of 10 person membership=7)