COWAN AVENUE SCHOOL

GOVERNANCE COUNCIL BY-LAWS

APRIL 12, 2011

 

ARTICLE I - NAME OF COUNCIL

 

The name of this council shall be the Cowan Avenue Governance Council.

 

ARTICLE II - ROLE OF COUNCIL

 

The Governance Council will fulfill all duties and responsibilities of the School Site Council as

established by the California Education Code.

 

The Council will make decisions around certain categorical fund allocations, and develop, implement, update, and revise the Single Plan for Student Achievement.  Following approval of the Single Plan for Student Achievement by the District governing board, the Council has ongoing responsibility to review the implementation of the Plan, to periodically assess program effectiveness, and to modify and improve the Plan as necessary.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERS

 

Section 1 - Size and Composition

 

The Governance Council shall include ten (10) voting members.  There shall be parity between the principal, classroom teachers, and other school personnel (5) and parent/community representatives (5) on the Council.  Representation of school personnel on the Council shall be:  the principal, three (3) teachers selected by teachers at the school, and one (1) classified staff member selected by classified staff members at the school.

 

Representation of parent/community members on the Council shall be:  5 parent/community members.  Parent and community members must meet eligibility requirements as defined in the Cowan Avenue Elementary School Governance Council Member Elections-Parent and Community Members Voting Protocol document.  Parent members must be parents of pupils attending the school, and are selected by parents.  Parent members may not be employed at Cowan Avenue School.  Community members are selected by both parents and community members.

In addition to the 10 voting Council members, there will be alternate Council members.  Teachers will select teacher representative alternates.  Classified staff will select a classified representative alternate.  Parent/community member alternates and acting alternates will be

selected as described in the Cowan Avenue Elementary School Governance Council Member Elections-Parent and Community Members Voting Protocol document.

The Council shall include 3 non-voting members:  1 representative each for LMU; CAN, Inc.;

and the Cowan Avenue PTO/Booster Club.

 

Section 2 - Elections

 

Based on the consensus of the Governance Council, elections of parent/community Governance Council members shall occur in accordance with the Cowan Avenue Governance Council Member Elections-Parent and Community Members Voting Protocol document.  Parent/community member elections shall provide maximum access and input to the election process in keeping with LAUSD District Bulletin BUL4148.0.  Elections for the new school year for all Governance Council members shall take place in the previous spring.  Notice of the election and voting procedures shall be sent to all parents, community members, and school staff in advance.

 

Section 3 - Term of Office

 

All parent/community representatives of the Council shall serve for a two-year term.   Terms of office for parent/community members shall initially be staggered to provide for continuity on the Council.  All certificated and classified representatives of the Council shall serve for a one-year term.

 

There shall be term limits of two consecutive two-year terms for parent/community representatives, and four consecutive one-year terms for certificated and classified representatives.  There shall be no term limit for the principal.  After term limits have been reached, members are not eligible to participate on the Council for one complete academic year.

Section 4 - Voting Rights

 

Only elected members have the right to vote.  A member must be present to cast a vote and each voting member shall be entitled to one vote for each matter submitted to a vote of the Council.  Absentee or proxy ballots shall not be permitted.

 

Section 5 - Termination of Membership

 

A member shall no longer hold membership should he or she no longer meet the membership requirements under which he or she was selected; e.g., a parent becomes employed by Cowan

Avenue School.  Any member who has missed a total of three meetings during one academic year shall be subject to termination, upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present.  After discussion of the pertinent facts and issues, and if quorum exists, a member may also be suspended or expelled for good cause upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present.

 

 

Section 6 - Transfer of Membership

 

Membership in the Governance Council is not transferable or assignable.

 

Section 7 - Resignation

 

Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Council.  The council requests at least a 30-day notice prior to the resignation taking effect.

 

Section 8 - Vacancy

 

Any vacancy on the Council shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by appointment of the duly elected alternate.  Any parent/community vacancy such that there is no duly elected alternate shall be filled by an acting alternate until the Governance Council holds a schoolwide special election to fill the position, which shall occur within 60 calendar days from the vacancy.  Nominees for the vacant position shall be solicited for a period of time determined by the Governance Council.  Special elections shall follow the usual Governance Council electoral process.

 

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS

 

Section 1 - Officers

 

The officers of the Governance Council shall be a chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, parliamentarian, and such other officers as the Council may deem desirable.

 

A.  Chairperson

 

The chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Governance Council and may sign all letters, reports, and other communications of the Governance Council.  In addition, the chairperson shall perform all duties of the office of chairperson and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Governance Council from time to time.

 

B.  Vice-Chairperson

 

The duties of the Vice-Chairperson shall be to represent the chairperson in assigned duties and to substitute for the chairperson during his or her absence.  The vice-chairperson shall also

perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the chairperson or by the Governance Council.

 

C.  Secretary

 

The secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Governance Council and shall promptly transmit them to each of the members and to other interested persons; see that all

notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these by-laws; be custodian of the Governance Council records; keep a register of the email address and telephone number of each member of the Governance Council; and, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of

the secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the chairperson or by the Governance Council.

 

D.  Parliamentarian

 

The parliamentarian shall ensure that the Governance Council has a current copy of The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure by Alice Sturgis, and become familiar with the contents of the book; support the presiding officer in maintaining order and adhering to time schedules as approved by the Governance Council; advise the presiding officer, when requested, on questions of parliamentary procedure; assist the presiding officer by keeping track of the order of those wishing to speak, motions, amendments, voting, etc. during meetings; and, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of the parliamentarian and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the chairperson or by the Governance Council.

Section 2 - Election and Term of Office

 

The officers of the Governance Council shall be elected annually by majority vote of the Council and shall serve for one year or until a successor has been elected.

 

Section 3 – Removal

 

After discussion of the pertinent facts and issues, and if quorum exists, an officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote of all Council members present when, 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 by the Governance Council, by special election at a general meeting, for the unexpired portion of the term.

 

ARTICLE V - MEETINGS OF GOVERNANCE COUNCIL

 

Section 1 - Regular Meetings

 

The Governance Council shall meet regularly at least once per month during the regular school year.

Section 2 - Special Meetings

 

Special Meetings may be called by the chairperson or by majority vote of the Governance Council.

Section 3 - Notice of Meetings

 

Notice of regular meetings shall be announced at least one week in advance. All special meetings shall be publicized.  Meeting notices shall be in writing and shall be delivered either electronically, personally or by mail to each member.

 

Section 4 - Decisions of the Governance Council

 

Whenever possible, decisions of the Governance Council should be made through a consensus process.  If consensus cannot be reached, decisions shall be made only after an affirmative vote of a majority of its members present, provided quorum exists.

 

Section 5 - Quorum

 

The presence of a majority (six voting members including at least three school personnel and  three parent/community members) of the elected membership shall be required in order to constitute a quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Governance Council.

 

Section 6 - Conduct of Meetings

 

All regular and special meetings of the Governance Council shall be conducted in accordance with The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedures (Sturgis) or an appropriate adaptation thereof.

 

Section 7 - Meetings Open to the Public

 

All regular and special meetings of the Governance Council and of its standing or special committees shall be open at all times to the public.

 

ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES

 

Section 1 - Standing and Special Committees

 

The Governance Council may from time to time establish and abolish standing or special committees.  No standing or special committee may exercise the authority of the Governance Council.

 

Section 2 - Membership

 

Unless otherwise determined by the Governance Council in its decision to establish a committee, the Chairperson may appoint and/or school stakeholders shall volunteer to serve as members of the various committees.  It is recommended that there be a GC member liaison to each committee.

 

Section 3 - Term of Office

 

Each member of a committee shall continue as such for the term of his or her membership, or until a successor is appointed or found, unless the committee shall be sooner terminated or abolished, or unless such member shall cease to qualify as a member thereof.

 

Section 4 - Rules

 

Any rules adopted by committees must be consistent with these By-Laws and with rules adopted by the Governance Council.

 

Section 6 - Vacancy

A vacancy in any committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original position was filled.

 

ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

 

These By-Laws may be amended only by the Governance Council.  Proposed amendments to the By-Laws must be presented and discussed 30 days prior to the meeting at which they are acted upon. Amendments must be approved by vote of 2/3 of the voting members present (provided quorum exists).  Approved amendments will be in force immediately and will be incorporated into the written By-Laws prior to the next meeting.