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School Community Council Rules and Procedure

RULES OF ORDER AND PROCEDURE 

SOUTH VALLEY SCHOOL

SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

Adopted by the South Valley School Council on October 11, 2024

To promote ethical behavioral and civil discourse each council member shall: 

  • Attend Council Meetings on Time and Be Prepared: Members are expected to be punctual and ready to contribute.
  • Make Decisions with Student Needs as the Main Objective: All actions and decisions should prioritize the well-being and educational needs of students.
  • Listen to and Value Diverse Opinions: Encourage and respect different viewpoints to enrich discussions.
  • Include Represented Opinions in Discussions: Ensure that the views of those represented by the council are considered.
  • Expect Accountability and Be Prepared to Be Accountable: Members should hold themselves and others responsible for their actions.
  • Act with Integrity: Maintain honesty and strong moral principles in all council dealings.

Rules of Procedure

  1. Training for Council Members:
    • Members will receive training to understand their responsibilities, particularly regarding School LAND Trust Plans and reports.
  2. Meeting Accessibility and Notification:
    • All meetings are open to the public. The public is encouraged to attend.
    • Agendas and draft minutes will be available to council members at least one week before meetings and posted on the school website.
    • The agenda will include the meeting date, time, location, and proposed action items. If school is canceled on the meeting day, the meeting will be held virtually at the same time.
  3. Record Keeping:
    • Written minutes will be kept for all meetings. Approved minutes will be retained for three years.
  4. Council Composition and Elections:
    • The council comprises four parent members (2 with two-year terms, 2 with one-year terms) and two school employee members, one being the school principal.
    • If more parents are interested than seats available, an election will be held, with only parents/guardians voting. School employees will be voted on by staff members.
    • Members are encouraged to actively participate once committed. If unable to fulfill their role, a new election or appointment will occur.
  5. Meeting Conduct and Decision Making:
    • Meetings follow simplified parliamentary procedures as per 53G-7-1203(10).
    • Actions are taken by motions and voting, with these recorded in the minutes.
  6. Leadership Selection:
    • The chair and vice-chair are elected by the committee. In a tie, the principal will flip a coin to determine the outcome.
  7. Roles of Chair and Vice-Chair:
    • The chair conducts meetings, assigns tasks, and requests reports. In the chair's absence, the vice-chair takes over.
  8. Motion Procedures:
    • A council member proposes a motion, which another member seconds to indicate it is worth discussing.
    • Discussion follows, and the chair may call for a vote. A "previous question" motion can end the discussion, requiring a second and a ⅔ vote to pass.
    • A quorum (simple majority) is needed to vote. A tie results in a lost vote.
    • A motion can be amended or withdrawn by its proposer. Hasty decisions can be reconsidered by those on the prevailing side.

These guidelines are designed to ensure that the South Valley School Community Council operates efficiently, ethically, and with the best interests of students as its priority.