• SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL BYLAWS

    Article I: Name

    The name of this organization is the Twin Lakes Academy Elementary School Advisory Council.

    Article II: Purpose

    Section 1. The functions of the School Advisory Council are:

    1. To assist in the preparation and evaluation of the school improvement plan (Sec. 1001.452(2), F.S.).
    2. To assist in the preparation of educational improvement proposals for implementing an educational improvement grant.
    3. To assist in the preparation of the school’s annual budget (Sec. 1001.452(2), F.S.),
    4. To assist in completion of the Mid-Year Stakeholder Assessment.
    5. To perform functions prescribed by regulations of the district school board (Sec. 1001.452(2), F.S.).

     

    Section 2. Other board functions of the School Advisory Council are:

    1. To participate in planning and monitoring of school buildings and grounds.
    2. To initiate activities or programs that generate greater cooperation between the community and the school.
    3. To assist in the development of educational goals and objectives.
    4. To provide input regarding the district’s Strategic Plan.
    5. To review and provide input on curriculum issues.
    6. To recommend various support services and resources.
    7. To review the impact of property development and zoning changes in the vicinity of the school as they relate to the safety, welfare and educational opportunities of the students.
    8. To review the budget to be sure it is aligned with the School Improvement Plan.
    9. To perform other functions as requested by the principal.

     

    Article III: Membership

    Section 1. The principal shall assure that the membership shall be representative of the ethnic, racial and economic community served by the school.

    Section 2. This council shall include parents, teachers, education support employees, community members, and the principal. A majority of the membership shall be non-district employees.

    Section 3. For purposes of SAC membership, parents shall be defined as anyone who has a student currently enrolled at the school and not a staff or faculty member of that school.

    Section 4. The principal shall be the only member of that school’s administration who is a member of the SAC.

    Section 5. Peer election shall be used to select parent, education support staff, student and teacher members of the SAC.

    Such elections shall be held at the beginning of each school year (after the first day of school) such that the membership list is ready to submit to appropriate district staff no later than October 1.

    Section 6. Community members shall be appointed by the principal.

    Section 7. Term of office for newly elected members shall be for a period of one year.

    Section 8. Members not attending for two consecutive meetings, without an excused absence, will be replaced. Vacancies for parents, teachers, educational support personnel and students will be filled by peer election. Elections to fill vacant positions may be held as necessary throughout the year.

     

    Section 9. SAC is a sunshine organization and non-members are encouraged to attend meetings but may not vote. Voting in SAC meetings shall be limited to duly elected/appointed school board approved members.

    Section 10. The PTA president may be a member of the SAC. (optional)

     

     

    Article IV: Responsibilities

    1. assist in the preparation and evaluation of the school improvement plan
    2. assist in the preparation of the school’s annual budget
    3. The SAC shall perform functions prescribed by regulations of the district school board

     

    Article V: Officers

      1. The officers of the School Advisory Council shall be a chairperson, vice chairperson(s), and a secretary. All officers must be members of the SAC.
      2. These officers shall be elected, by written ballot, at the first meeting of SAC at the beginning of the school year provided notice of election has been provided to the public.

     

    Article VI: Roles of the Principal and SAC Members

    Section 1. The Principal

    1. assures that membership of the School Advisory Council is representative of the ethnic, racial and economic community served by the school.
    2. works closely with the SAC Chairperson to prepare meeting agendas.
    3. maintains the appropriate statutory composition of the SAC.
    4. serves as a resource providing information regarding the local school educational program.
    5. supplies academic information to the SAC.
    6. is not a passive resource person or a dominant figure.
    7. encourages leadership from within the council.
    8. assists in training members in leadership skills.
    9. arranges for presentations of interest to the council.
    10. represents the school at Area Advisory Council meetings (a designee can be used when needed.)
    11. keeps the SAC apprised of county policies, curriculum, etc.
    12. establishes, maintains, and regularly consults with the school advisory council, involving it in decisions in accordance with stated purposes and policies.
    13. develops, through positive actions, feelings of trust and understanding among SAC, community and staff.
    14. facilitates the distribution of SAC minutes and agendas.
    15. serves as the administrator in charge of the school with total responsibility to arrange all affairs of the school including general control and supervision of its employees.
    16. is a voting member of SAC.
    17. is the only administrator on the School Advisory Council.
    18. supervises instruction.
    19. leads in the development, revision and successful implementation of the SIP.
    20. involves all stakeholders in the SIP process.
    21. keeps SAC informed of relevant policies and activities of the school, district and state.
    22. Ensures a record of SAC activity is housed at the school and available upon request.

    Section 2. The Chairperson

    1. works closely with the principal and the council to plan each meeting and establish an agenda in time to notify the community of the purpose of each meeting.
    2. represents the school at Area Advisory Council meetings (a designee can be used when needed.)
    3. calls the meeting to order, maintains order, facilitates and sees that the meeting is properly adjourned.
    4. instructs the secretary and other officers in their duties.
    5. sees that minutes are taken, prepared, read, approved, and properly filed in the school.
    6. sees that business is ordered, considered, and disposed of properly.
    7. sees that the plan of a SAC vote is posted at least 3 days prior to vote.
    8. is an impartial, conscientious arbiter of discussion and debate, and insists on fairness in the actions and debate of the members.
    9. ensures that a copy of the minutes and attendance record is forwarded to appropriate district staff.

    Section 3. The Vice Chair(s)

      1. serves as Chair in the absence of the elected Chair.

    Section 4. The Secretary

    1. keeps accurate, complete minutes and files them for inspection. An electronic copy of the minutes should be provided, in a timely manner, to the principal for the school file and a copy forwarded to appropriate district staff no later than the 10th of the month following the meeting by emailing schoolimprovement@duvalschools.org.
    2. prepares copies of the agenda and distributes to council members, along with minutes of the last meeting.
    3. keeps accurate records of council membership, attendance, duties and special assignments.

     

    Section 5. Parents and other community representatives

    1. function as council members according to established procedures making suggestions and recommendations representative of the view of parents, citizens and community organizations of the school community.
    2. participate regularly in SAC meetings and carry out council assignments.
    3. become knowledgeable about the personnel and material resources of the school, the community and the school’s educational program.
    1. act as resource persons for the SAC, especially in the solutions of community- related issues which affect the school and its pupils.
    2. provide input into the process of obtaining community resources to aid the school’s educational program.
    3. serve as a communications link between the SAC, the community, and the school.
    4. participate in activities aimed at obtaining parent and community support and assistance for school-related programs.

     

    Section 6. Teachers and Educational Support representatives:

    1. function as members of the council to represent the views and interests of the school staff.
    2. participate regularly in SAC meetings and carry out council assignments.
    3. provide input into the process of identifying community resources which can aid in the school’s educational program.
    4. accept assigned responsibility for assisting in and coordinating the implementation of new programs.
    5. serve as a communication link between the SAC and the school staff, keeping the staff informed of actions and activities of the council.
    6. participate in efforts to encourage school staff support for goals and activities of the SAC.
    7. act as resource persons for the SAC by making available specialized information about the educational program, innovative ideas and available resource.
    8. Note: the principal is the only administrator on the SAC.

     

    Article VII: Committees

    The SAC may create such committees as necessary to carry on the work of the council.

     

    Article VIII: Meetings

    Section 1. The SAC shall meet as often as necessary to perform its duties, but no less than eight (8) times per year. Such meetings shall be held starting at the beginning of each school year (after the first day of school) such that the membership roster is ready to submit to appropriate district staff no later than October 1. Meetings must be scheduled when parents, students, teachers, education support personnel and community members can attend. All meetings shall be open to the public.

    Section 2. A quorum must be present to conduct business. A majority of the membership of the council (more than half) shall constitute a quorum.