Last modified: December 17, 2024

Community Council Rules of Order & Procedure

Rules of Order

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

• Attend council meetings on time and prepared
• Make decisions with the needs of students as the main objective
• Listen to and value diverse opinions
• Be sure the opinions of those the council represents are included in discussions
• Expect accountability and be prepared to be accountable
• Act with integrity 

Rules of Procedure: 

Council members will receive training to understand the responsibilities of the council. Council members receive training before preparing and taking action on School LAND Trust Plans and reports. 

All meetings are open to the public and the public is welcome to attend. 

The agenda of each upcoming meeting, with draft minutes of the prior meeting, will be made available to all council members at least one week in advance and will be posted on the school website. The agenda will include the date, time, and location of the meeting, and any proposed action items. 

Written minutes will be kept of all meetings, prepared in draft format for approval at the next scheduled meeting. Approved minutes will be retained for three years. 

The council will follow a timeline for the school year that includes due dates for all required reporting and other activities/tasks that the council agrees to assume or participate in. The timeline will assist in the preparation of agendas to be sure the council accomplishes its work in a timely manner.

Election Procedures

The council shall establish a timeline for the election, including noticing the election at least ten days in advance of it taking place. The process is established by the council and must include: 

• The steps in the process for electing council members
• How and when the election will be noticed
• How and when an eligible candidate may file for election
• How and when a vote may be cast (in person)

The council consists of the principal, an ex officio voting member, 1 school employee, who is elected in even years, 1 school employee who is elected in odd years, and 3 parent members who are elected in even years, 2 parent members who are elected in odd years. Councils must have a 2-parent majority and elections are required to be staggered with half of the council elected each year. 

When a full council is not seated in the election or a seat is vacated, the parent members of the council shall appoint members to fill unfilled parent positions and school employee members shall appoint school employee members. 

The council shall elect a chair from the parent members and a vice-chair from the parent or school employee members at the first meeting of the year after the council is seated each year. A principal cannot hold office.