Date	Location	Agenda	Minutes	Materials
November 10	Virtual	Agenda	Minutes	N/A
December 8	Virtual
January 12	Virtual
February 9	Virtual
March 16	Virtual
April 20	Virtual
May 11	Virtual

 

Name	Role	Category	Term

Site Council Bylaws 

Palo Alto Middle College High School

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this Council shall be the Palo Alto Middle College High School Site Council. It is also known as the PAMC Site Council, and will be referred to in these bylaws as "the Council." Palo Alto Middle College High school may be referred to as PAMC, and School Site Council may be abbreviated as SCC. 

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The role and purpose of the Site Council shall be to develop a school improvement process for Palo Alto Middle College High School and to carry out all other duties and responsibilities assigned to it in the Education Code of the State of California. The process developed by the Council shall be a thorough and on-going analysis of the entire school program; all curricular and related parts of the school program, for all students.

The School Site Council of Palo Alto Middle College High School shall carry out the following duties:

1. Develop and approve the Single Plan for Student Achievement
2. Obtain recommendations for the proposed Single Plan for Student Achievement from all stakeholders and any applicable school advisory committees (Ed Code 64001)
3. Develop and approve the plan and related expenditures in accordance with all state and federal laws and regulations.
4. Recommend the plan and expenditures to the governing board for approval.
5. Provide ongoing review of the implementation of the plan with the principal, teachers, and other school staff members.
6. Make modifications to the plan whenever the need arises.
7. Submit the modified plan for governing board approval whenever a material change (as defined in district governing board policy) is made in planned activities or related expenditures.
8. Annually, and at each semester or trimester, evaluate the progress made toward school goals to raise the academic achievement of all students.
9. Develop the comprehensive safe school plan.
10. Carry out all other duties assigned to the council by the district governing board and by state law.

ARTICLE III: COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL

Section 1: Membership 

As a secondary school with less than 300 students, PAMC’s School Site Council may operate with a minimum of six members, as follows: one principal, one teacher, one school staff, two parent/community members and one student. 

To operate with this reduced-member composition (as compared to a larger school), the local governing board or body of the LEA must receive approval from its local bargaining unit(s), as applicable. EC Section 65001 (d)(2)

Other than the Principal, all members of the Site Council shall be selected according to prevailing law.  (See Section 3)  Because of the importance of regular attendance to the conduct of business, members of interest groups shall not be permitted to share a seat on the Council. 

Section 2: Terms of Office 

All parent and staff members of the Site Council shall serve two-year terms except the principal, who is a permanent member. Student members shall serve a one-year term.  Members shall begin their terms with the first Site Council meeting in the fall. If a staff or parent member is selected to serve two consecutive terms (4 years) at least one year shall elapse after the conclusion of the two terms (4 years) before such member may be selected to a new term. Students may serve as often as appointed.  

Section 3: Elections

The Council shall determine the time and method of holding elections for parent representatives and faculty/staff representatives. Both paper and electronic ballots shall be permitted for the election of faculty, staff, student, and parent delegates.

Section 4: Vacancies 

Each constituency shall elect an appropriate number of Site Council members, plus furnish a ranked list of runners-up for the purpose of filling vacancies.  If a vacancy occurs prior to the end of the term of office, the Site Council shall then choose, within thirty (30) days, a replacement, using the ranked list from the most recent election.  If there is no one on the list, the Student Council will recommend student replacements, the PTSA Board will recommend parent replacements, and the Staff will conduct a new election. 

Section 5: Orientation 

Interested future Site Council members shall be invited to join the Site Council for its sessions as non-voting observers at the end of the school year prior to elections. At the beginning of the school year, each new member shall be given all materials required for the performance of duties as a  Site Council member. 

Section 6: Attendance

Members shall be expected to attend all regular meetings.  Any absences shall be reported in advance to the Chairperson or Principal.

Section 7: Termination of Membership

If a question should arise concerning the attendance pattern or performance of any member serving on the Site Council, the Site Council shall review the problem and may, by the vote of a majority of the Site Council members, remove that member.  Any member absent for three (3) consecutive meetings shall be notified of possible termination of membership.  If a fourth consecutive meeting is missed without an excuse acceptable to a majority of the Site Council membership, that member shall be removed and a successor shall be appointed to that position. 

Section 8: Resignation 

Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Site Council. 

Section 9: Transfer of Membership

Membership on the council may not be assigned or transferred. 

ARTICLE IV: COUNCIL OFFICERS

Section 1: Election 

The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Parliamentarian of the Site Council shall be elected each year at an annual organizational meeting in the fall.  Officers should represent at least two different constituencies (faculty / staff, parents, and students).  The Council may choose to elect a chairperson and a vice chairperson or two co-chairpersons.   

Section 2: Duties of the Chairperson 

If a Chairperson has been elected, the Chairperson shall preside at all meetings, serve on the Agenda Setting Committee, recommend to the Council the priority of agenda items, establish the approximate time limit for each agenda item, decide on questions of order, appoint all committees unless otherwise designated, and enjoy the same rights as other members, such as voting, introducing motions and resolutions, and discussion questions that come before the Site Council. 

Section 3: Duties of the Vice-Chairperson 

If a Vice-Chairperson has been elected, the Vice-Chairperson shall perform the duties of the chairperson in the case of his/her absence, serve on the Agenda Setting Committee, and shall perform other functions as designated by the chairperson or Site Council. 

Section 4: Duties of the Secretary

If a Secretary has been elected, the Recording Secretary shall keep minutes  of all regular and special meetings. Transmit true and correct copies of the minutes of such meetings to members of the School Site Council. Provide notices in accordance with these bylaws. Serve on the Agenda Setting Committee.

Section 5: Duties of the Parliamentarian

If a Parliamentarian has been elected, the Parliamentarian will assist the Chairperson in maintaining order, be familiar with committee bylaws, parliamentary procedures, and Robert’s Rules of Order. 

Section 5: Removal 

Any officer may be removed by a majority vote of the full membership of the Site Council whenever, in the judgment of the Site Council, the best interests of the Site Council would be served. 

ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES

Section 1: Standing Committee(s) 

The Site Council may, from time to time, establish and abolish such standing committees as it may desire.  No standing committee shall exercise the authority of the Site Council. 

A. Agenda Setting Committee 

1. Members: Elected Officers, Principal

2. Duties: 

a. Setting agendas 

b. Reviewing new proposals and making further recommendations 

Section 2:  Special Committees

The Site Council may establish and abolish such special committees, as it may desire.  No special committee shall exercise the authority of the Site Council. 

Section 3: Membership 

The Council shall appoint members to the various committees unless otherwise determined by the Site Council in its decision to establish a committee. 

Section 4: Term of Office

Each member of a committee shall serve their appointed term unless the committee shall be terminated or unless such member shall cease to qualify as a member. 

Section 5: Rules

Each committee may adopt rules for its own governance not inconsistent with these bylaws, or with rules adopted by the Site Council, or with policies of the PAUSD governing board. 

Section 6: Quorum 

A majority of the committee shall constitute a quorum unless otherwise provided in the decision of the Site Council when designating a committee.  The act of a majority of the members present at a meeting where a quorum is present shall be an act of the committee. 

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

Section 1: Regular Meetings 

The Site Council shall meet regularly at least once per school month and the meetings shall be open to the public with the exception of such sessions as are authorized by law to be closed.  Regular meetings shall be held at a time and place to be determined by the Site Council, and the schedule of meetings shall be made known to the public.

Section 2: Notice of Meetings 

Public notice shall be given of regular meetings at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting.  Any change of the established date, time or location must be given special notice.  Special meetings may be called as needed, and shall be publicized 72 hours in advance whenever possible by means of a notice posted on the Main Office Bulletin Board, or through digital formats. 

Section 3: Place of Meetings

The council shall hold its regular meetings at a facility provided by the school, unless such facility accessible to the public, including persons with disabilities, is unavailable. Alternative meeting places may be recommended by a majority of the committee but must be approved by the school administrator. 

ARTICLE VII: CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

Section 1: Quorum

A quorum consists of a majority of the entire Council and shall include at least one representative from each interest group (students, parents, teachers, and staff.)

Section 2: Conducting Business 

The presiding chairperson shall run each meeting in an efficient, cordial, businesslike manner, assuring that each member has an opportunity to speak on all agenda items, but limiting discussion when necessary to ensure that all business can be accomplished in the time allowed. In general, the group shall make decisions by consensus. However, when a consensus cannot be reached, the majority will rule.

Section 3: Agenda 

Agenda items may be submitted to the Principal or an Elected Officer by any Council member prior to the regularly scheduled Agenda Setting Committee meeting. The final agenda will then be prepared by the Committee. The Agenda shall be posted in the designated areas no later than 72 hours prior to meetings.

Section 4: Information and Action Items 

To provide opportunity for reaction by the public and study by the Council, proposals being presented for the first time shall be considered "information items." At this time, arguments for or against each proposal may be presented by interested groups. The proposals will be treated as "action items” at a subsequent meeting, at which time discussion will be limited to Site Council members or others by invitation. In case of urgent items, a majority of the entire Council may vote to consider action as well as information at the first presentation. Absentee ballots are not allowed.

Section 5: Communication from the Public 

In the establishment, implementation and modification of its policies and procedures, the Council shall encourage members of the staff and community to contribute their ideas. 

1.  Provision shall be made at each meeting for receiving oral communication from the school community, and for recognizing signed, written communications addressed to the Council. In some instances, the Council may direct that the matter be included on the agenda of a later meeting, if it is of significance or community concern. 
2. Members of the public wishing to address the Council should indicate their desire to the Chairperson. Each member of the public addressing the Site Council is requested to limit his/her remarks to three (3) minutes each.  Public input shall not exceed 30 minutes at each meeting without permission of the Council. 

Section 6: Order of Business 

In general, the order of business for regular meetings shall be as follows: 

1. Call to order 
2. Approval of meeting minutes.
3. Open forum for the public to address the Council on non-agenda items 
4. Agenda process [deciding on arrangements of agenda items, discussing and disposing of agenda items, hearing from guests/the public] 
5. Adjournment

ARTICLE VIII: PERSONNEL POLICY

A Site Council Coordinator may be employed to facilitate the work of the Council. The Coordinator would not be a voting member of the Council. Employment procedures shall be consistent with PAUSD policies and procedures. A complete description of the Coordinator’s duties would be available in the office and at the district personnel office. The Coordinator’s duties would include, but not limited to the items below. If there is no Coordinator, the Principal and Elected Officers will decide as needed, how the following duties will be performed: 

1. Preparing briefing materials for each Site Council member and distributing them to each member 48 hours in advance of the meeting (when possible.) 
2. Recording minutes of each meeting (if a Recording Secretary has not been elected.)
3. Preparing the Council’s annual budget.
4. Receiving and disbursing monies, as directed by the Council. 
5. Disseminating information about the Council’s business, with oversight by Council officers and the Principal.
6. Conducting annual elections.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS

 

These bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the entire membership of the Council.