By-Laws

HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

3042 E. ADOBE

MESA, ARIZONA 85213

10/11/00

I. PURPOSE:

The HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SIAC) will serve in an advisory capacity to the school administration for the purpose of providing the best possible quality of educational experiences for Highland students.

II. COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL:

In addition to the principal, the Council will consist of 5 teachers to be elected by the faculty and 7 parents/guardians of students. The following geographical locations surrounding Highland School will consist of the following representatives: two representative north of Adobe St. and east of the canal; one representative south of Adobe St. and east of the canal; two representatives south of Adobe St. and west of the canal; one representative north of Adobe St. and west of the canal; and one parent from "out of boundary families". Parent representatives cannot be employees at the school.

III. ELECTION PROCESS:

Any Highland school parent or guardian of a student willing to serve on the council as a representative will be voted on at an open election. Nomination forms will be available in the Highland newsletter or the Highland office. All nominations must be in writing. This process will be publicized in the Highland newsletter in the spring of each year when there are vacancies. This publication will include such items as a biographical sketch, past and present involvement at Highland School and why the nominee wants to run. The ballot election will take place in the spring each year.

The Chairperson will appoint an election committee of at least 3 members from the general membership at the regular January SIAC meeting. This committee will report back to the SIAC committee during the regular February meeting.

The tabulation of the voting will be included in the council minutes. Winners will be announced in the newsletter.

Any changes in the by-laws affecting any part of the election process must be made before nominations are announced.

IV. TERMS OF OFFICE:

Members shall serve for two years. A parent/guardian of a sixth grader may only serve for one year unless they have another student who will be attending Highland during the second year of their term.

V. PROCESS FOR FILLING VACANCIES:

The process for filling vacancies will be as follows: a runner-up from the geographical area will be asked to fill the vacancy. If that person is unable to serve or a runner-up does not exist, SIAC will appoint someone to the geographical area where the vacancy occurs to complete the remainder of the term. If a volunteer cannot be found from within that geographical area, someone from outside the vacant geographical area may be appointed to fill the vacancy until the next election.

VI. ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT:

Members are expected to be in attendance for no less than 80% of the meetings or a new representative will be elected. Representatives must notify the chairperson to report an absence. The chairperson will be responsible for contacting representatives who do not meet this requirement and notify the council if a new representative is necessary based on the situation. A quorum will be necessary to conduct business. A quorum will consist of at least 7 members.

VII. OFFICERS ELECTED:

The officers will be elected by the council at the last meeting of the school year and their responsibilities are:

Chairperson - set the agenda in conjunction with the principal; conduct meetings

Vice Chairperson - preside over council meetings in the absence of the Chairperson and assume the position of Chairperson if it is vacated until a replacement is chosen

Recorder - record minutes and keep attendance records. If he/she is unable to attend a meeting, he/she must notify another person to take minutes

VIII. MEETING SCHEDULE:

A monthly meeting will be held with provisions for emergency meetings. Meetings will be on the third Wednesday of each month from 6:30 - 8:00 P.M.

Anyone wanting to have an item placed on the agenda may call the school or contact one of the representatives. Agenda items must be turned in by the second Monday of the month. The chairpersons and the principal will go through the items to determine those appropriate for the agenda.

Constituents may come and present a case or their concerns at an open forum at 6:45 on each meeting date. Items will then be put on the agenda for a subsequent meeting.

IX. RELATIONSHIP TO PARENT ORGANIZATION:

The council will function in addition to the existing Parent-Teacher organization. Parent organization members may give input to the School Improvement Advisory Council. The parent organization president will be given an opportunity to check the agenda prior to the meeting and will determine if he/she needs to be present at the meeting.

X. AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNCIL:

Client or staff input may be given by contacting the school or one of the members of the council. These items will be collected by the school secretary and held until the second Wednesday of each month. The agenda will be set by the chairpersons and the principal. Items must be received by the second Monday of the month to be included on the agenda. The agenda will be posted in a designated area by the Monday prior to the SIAC monthly meeting.

A summary of the minutes will be submitted to the principal by the Wednesday following the council meeting and published in the school newsletter of the following week.

XI. POSSIBLE AREAS OF COUNCIL INVOLVEMENT:

The council will provide a forum for discussion on any topic related to Highland Elementary School except, those which the Principal indicates to be excluded because of Mesa Public Schools District policy, legal, confidential or ethical reasons. The areas of Council responsibility will encompass but not be limited to, ongoing review of school-wide policies and practices.

XII. BY-LAW CHANGES:

Proposed amendments to these bylaws may be presented at any regular meeting of the council. Proposed amendments shall be discussed and voted upon at the next regularly scheduled meeting, or at a special meeting called for that purpose.

Amendments must receive a two-thirds vote of the council in order to be enacted.

Amendments shall be consistent with the missions of the Mesa Unified Public School District and of Highland Elementary School. They must also conform to Governing Board policy and regulations, as well as the laws of our community, state, and nation.

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