Site Council

Redland's Site council is composed of classroom teachers, specialists, classified staff, parents, and the principal.  The team meets monthly on the third Wednesday of each month at 2:30.  The team sets priorities for school improvement and professional learning, monitors the effectiveness of the school’s instructional program, and oversees the implementation of grant monies.  Parents are welcome to join the Site Council by completing this application. New members are selected each fall and serve two year terms. 

 

Redland Elementary School Site Council By-Laws

(Approved September 28, 2022)

I:  Mission of Site Council

The mission of the Redland Elementary School Site Council is to provide leadership, direction, and support in collaboration with the school district, school staff and community toward the improvement of student performance in the school.  Nothing in this section shall interfere with the duties, responsibilities, and rights of duly elected school district boards.  The duties of the Site Council shall include but not be limited to:

  1. The development of plans to improve the professional growth of the school’s staff;

  2. The improvement of the school’s instructional program;

  3. The development and coordination of plans for the implementation of programs at the school.

  4. Provide a space for feedback and open communication about school issues.

II: Membership and Terms of Membership

  1.  The Site Council shall be composed of teachers, parents or guardians of students in the school, the principal or his/her designee, and classified district personnel.  The council may also include persons identified by the Site Council as having particular benefit for the school, such as business representatives, community members, or other district staff.

The membership shall be composed as follows:

  1. Not more than half of the members shall be teachers;

  2. Not more than half of the members shall be parents of students attending that school;

  3. At least one member shall be a classified employee; and

  4. One member shall be the principal of the building or the principal’s designee

  5. Community representatives shall be selected by the Site Council

Membership

Selection

Requirements

Three Teachers (one specialist, one primary, one intermediate recommended)

Elected by licensed staff

Shall serve teachers at school site

One Classified

Elected by classified staff

Shall serve employees at school site

One building administrator or designee

Appointed by building administrator or designee

Shall serve

Three parents of students

Appointed by administration at that site

Shall serve by a process to be defined by the Board

Community member(s), other building staff member(s), students

Appointed by the council

May serve

In addition, other members may be designated by the school district, including but not limited to business leaders, students, and members of the community at large.

B. If a school district board determines that a school site is unable to fulfill the requirements of this section, or if the needs of a school site require a different composition, the school district board shall establish the Site Council in a manner that best meets the educational needs of the district.

C. All Site Council meetings shall be subject to the open meetings law pursuant to ORS 192.610 to 192.690.

D. A school district may establish a district site committee to assist in the administration of grants or in the district-wide coordination of programs [1995 c.660 §39 (enacted in lieu of 329.705); 2001 c. 618 §7; 2007 c. 858 §25; 2013 c.1 §27]

E. Terms

  1.  All members, excluding the principal, shall be elected to a two-year term.  Members can be re-elected for an additional term.  There would be a rotation of one half of the members annually.  The membership shall be October through September of the following year, with elections held and results ready by the October meeting.

  2. If a term runs out and the current Site Council member is interested in continuing to serve, the position will be opened for election with other interested candidates. If there are no other interested candidates, the position will automatically be renewed for another year for the current member. 

F. Attendance

In order to provide continuity, members should attend regularly.  A member should provide advance notice to the chair and/or principal if the member cannot attend.  After a member’s second unexcused absence, the remaining members will vote on the continuation of that member’s term.

G. Complaint Procedures and Resolution

If a concern arises with an individual member, the chair and principal share responsibility in resolving the concern.  The chair and/or principal will discuss the issue with the member to attempt to resolve the issue.  If the issue is not resolved, other actions can be taken including removal of the member from Site Council by majority vote.

H. Vacancies

The chair has the power to fill a position left vacant for any reason.  Those selected to fill a vacancy will complete the term they are filling.  They may then stand for election for a full term.

 

Officers

Officers shall consist of a Chair and Secretary.  Officers’ terms shall be staggered. Additional officers may be created and elected upon consensus of the council. 

Chair

The chair is elected by the council for a two year term by September.  The duties of the chair include:

  1. Overseeing the operation of the council.

  2. Representing the council and is the point of contact for the council.

  3. Establishing the meeting agenda in consultation with the council members and the principal.

  4. Facilitating council meetings or designating a facilitator.  This may include being a time-keeper and observing that community agreements are upheld.

  5. Assisting the council in following its operational agreements.

Secretary

The duties of the secretary include:

  1. Assisting the chair.

  2. Taking minutes and sending to members. 

  3. Reminding principal to send meeting announcements.

  4. Maintaining attendance records.

  5. Maintaining all records of the council. 

 

General Guidelines

Frequency and Procedure

Meetings shall be held at least once a month during the regular school year as scheduled by the council.  An annual schedule of meetings shall be printed and posted.

  1. A majority of members must be present.  Prior notice is to be given to the principal and/or site chair if a member cannot attend.

  2. Meeting procedures:

  1. Take attendance

  2. Read old minutes

  3. Review current agenda

  4. Discuss agenda items

  5. Recommend action steps

  6. Recommend future agenda items

Community Agreements

Members agree to:

  1. Begin and end the meeting on time.

  2. Stay on task and focus on the agenda.

  3. Keep a positive atmosphere.

  4. Participate and make room for others to participate.

  5. Commit to the entire meeting.

  6. No side conversations.

  7. Set an agenda for the next meeting at the end of each meeting.

  8. Clarify, summarize, and resolve key points before moving on.

  9. Listen in order to understand vs. listen in order to respond.

 Decision Making

Council shall use consensus decision making on items requiring action.  Consensus means that all council members can support the decision of the council.  Members agree that they will not work against any decision made by consensus.  If the council is unable to reach consensus, it will make a decision using substantial consensus, or 2/3 vote of those present. 

Work Plan

The council will develop an annual work plan at the beginning of the school year which outlines the major tasks to be accomplished during the year.

Record Keeping

The council shall keep minutes of all meetings in a document shared with all council members. The minutes shall be available electronically on the school website after approval. 

Orientation

The council will inform new members of their roles and responsibilities within one month of their election.  This includes, but is not limited to, giving them a copy of the site by-laws and a report on the school improvement plan.

Self-Evaluation

The council will evaluate its performance annually.  The results of this self-evaluation shall determine areas for improvement and goals for the council in the coming year.

Amendments

A proposed amendment to these by-laws may be presented to the council at a regularly scheduled meeting where at least 2/3 members are present.  The by-laws will be reviewed annually by the council.  Refer to Procedures Item C. Decision Making, as appropriate.

Compliance

The council shall recognize and observe all laws, regulations, district policies, collective bargaining, and other agreements in its operations.