Academy of the Redwoods

    Site Council Bylaws

Article I: Name

The name of this committee shall be the Academy of the Redwoods School Site Council

Article II: Objectives

The objective of this Council shall be to:

1. Develop and recommend the school improvement plans for the Academy of the Redwoods
2. Review with the Program Director, teachers, other school personnel, and pupils the implementation of the School Improvement Plan and assess periodically the effectiveness of the program.
3. Annually review the School Improvement Plan, establish a new School Improvement budget consistent with the Education Code, and, if necessary, make modifications in the Plan to reflect changing improvements, needs, and priorities. 
4. Take other actions as required by the Education Code.

Article III: 

Section 1: Membership

The council shall be composed of a minimum of 5 members; the AR Program Director, 1 certificated teacher who is elected by the certificated staff of Academy of the Redwoods.  1 parent/guardian, plus one alternate who are elected by the parents/guardians, 1 student representative selected by students from their school. 

The Council shall be constituted to ensure parity between (a) the program director, classroom teachers, other school personnel and (b) an equal or greater number of students and community members. 

Classroom teachers shall comprise a majority of those persons representing school staff. 

Council members representing parents/guardians, other community members, or students shall not be employees of the school.

Section 2: Election and Term of Office

The officers of the School Site Council shall all be elected annually and shall serve for one year. 

Terms of office for all members elected will be two years. 

Section 3: Removal

Any officer may be removed by a two-thirds majority vote of all members sitting on the School Site Council whenever, in the judgment of the Council, the best interests of the Council would be served thereby. 

Section 4: Vacancy

A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise shall, by special election, be filled by the School Site Council for the unexpired portion of the term. 

Section 5: Chairperson

The chairpersons shall preside at all meetings of the council and may sign all reports, documents, and letters on behalf of the Council.  At the chairperson’s discretion, reports, documents, and letters signed by him/her shall be presented to the Council for review. The chairperson shall perform all duties incident of the office and such other duties as may be decided by the Council. The chairpersons shall maintain contact with the membership. 

Section 6: Vice Chairperson

The duties of the vice-chairpersons shall be to represent the chairperson in assigned duties and to substitute for the chairperson during his/her absence, and he/she shall perform such other duties and from time to time may be assigned to him/her by the chairperson or by the Council. 

Section 7: Secretary

The secretary shall process the minutes of the meetings, both regular and special, and shall promptly transmit to each of the members, and to such other persons as the Council may request, true and correct copies of the minutes of such meetings; see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws; be custodian of the records; keep a register of the post office address and telephone numbers of each member, which shall be furnished to the secretary by such member; and in general perform all duties incident of the office of the secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to the office by the chairperson or the council. 

Article IV: Meeting of the Site Council

Section 1: Regular Meetings

The Site Council will meet monthly from September to May. Meetings shall be held once per month. Meeting schedule shall be set annually at the first meeting in the fall semester and published on the school website. 

Section 2: Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by the chairperson or by a majority vote of the Site Council on at least 72 hours notice. An electronic or video conference vote may pass with a simple majority.  

Section 3: Notice of Meetings

Regular meetings, as well as special meetings, shall be announced. Any announcement shall state the day, hour, and location of the meeting. Announcements shall be posted in a public place at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. 

Section 4: Quorum

A simple majority of the Council shall be required in order to constitute a quorum necessary for the transaction of business.

Section 5: Open Meetings

All regular and special meetings of the Site Council, and of its standing or special committees, shall be open at all times. 

Section 6: Agenda

The chairperson or designee (site administrator) shall be responsible for the preparation of the agenda. All members shall have the opportunity to submit items for consideration. The Council will be responsible for keeping its members informed of educational legislation and will include these issues on its agendas. Presentation of the issues will be given in an unbiased manner. 

Article V: Amendments 

These bylaws may be amended at any time by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members of the Academy of the Redwoods Site Council and with the advice of the County Counsel, legal advisory to the school district provided that the amendment is to further carry out the purposes and objectives of the Site Council as herein above expressed. Any amendment must conform to the State of California Consolidated application program guidelines and federal Title 1 regulations.