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School Site Council

Kennedy Middle School

 School Site Council (SSC) Bylaws

 

 

BYLAWS OF THE SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL (SSC)

 

The bylaws of each School Site Council shall include the method of selecting members and officers, terms of office, responsibilities of council members, time commitment, and a policy of nondiscrimination and equity. Each SSC may modify these bylaws as long as all required elements remain. The bylaws must be reviewed and approved by the SSC annually.

 

ARTICLE I: COMPOSITION

 

Section 1. General Composition

Kennedy Middle School shall have operating School Site Councils (SSCs). The SSC shall be composed of:

  • The principal
  • Teachers selected by teachers at the school
  • Other school personnel selected by other school personnel at the school. 
  • For school staff members, the classroom teachers must be in the majority (EC Section 65000[a]).
  • Parents of students attending the school and/or community members selected by such parents. 
  • A CUSD staff member who does not work at the site may serve in the parent/community role on the SSC.
  • Students, selected by students attending the school (optional).

Section 2. Parity Requirements

The SSC shall be constituted to ensure parity between school members and parent/community/student members:

  • Middle School Level (if students are included): Parity must be ensured between:
    • The principal, classroom teachers, and other school personnel; and
    • An equal number of parents or community members selected by parents and students.

Section 3. Minimum Membership

  • The Kennedy SSC shall have a minimum of 10 members, consisting of five school members and five parent/community/student members.

     

  • ARTICLE II: SELECTION OF MEMBERS AND TERMS OF OFFICE

     

    Section 1. Selection and Elections

  • A public call for new members/elections shall be issued each spring or early fall to replace outgoing members.
  • If interest exceeds capacity, a school community-wide election will be held 
  • Roles shall include a Chairperson and a Secretary. Additional roles may be designated.

  • Section 2. Terms of Office

  • Staggered, two school-year terms are recommended.
  • If members who will serve two school years cannot be identified, members may serve a one-year term.

  • ARTICLE III: RESPONSIBILITIES OF COUNCIL MEMBERS

     

    Section 1. State Plan Development and Review

    The SSC develops the content of the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) (EC Section 64001[g][1]). The SPSA, including proposed expenditure of funds allocated through the ConApp and the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), must be reviewed and updated annually by the SSC (EC Section 64001[i]).

     

    Section 2. Minimum Duties

    The SSC must, at a minimum:

  • Develop and approve the SPSA, including proposed expenditures of funds. The SPSA must align with the needs identified through the school’s comprehensive needs assessment and the goals identified by the SSC, and adhere to all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
  • Recommend the SPSA, including proposed expenditures of funds, to the LEA’s local governing board or body for approval.
  • Provide ongoing review throughout the school year of the implementation of the strategies/services in the SPSA.
  • Make modifications to the SPSA if a need arises. The SSC will submit the modified SPSA to the local governing board/body for approval whenever a material change (as defined in local governing board policy) is made.
  • Annually evaluate the progress made toward the school’s goals to increase the academic achievement of all students, including reviewing and analyzing established metrics, baseline data, and desired outcomes in the SPSA.
  • Perform all other duties assigned to the SSC by the local governing board or body of the LEA and by state law.

  • Section 3. Safety Plan

  • Annually, the SSC reviews, provides input on, and approves the Comprehensive School Safety Plan. Requirements shall be reviewed with the Council annually.
  • The school site council (SSC) or designated safety planning committee has specific responsibilities for their school. EC Section 32281(a).
  • The SSC must write and develop the CSSP or may delegate this responsibility to a safety committee made up of principal/designee, teacher, parent of child who attends the school, classified employee, and others. EC Section 32281(b)(2).
  • The SSC/safety planning committee must consult with a law enforcement agency, a fire department, and other first responders each year when updating the CSSP and notify each entity of any updates that occur during the year.
    EC Section 32281(b)(3).
  • Present the safety plan goals with designated invitees at a public meeting at the school site to allow for public opinions before adopting the plan. EC Section 32288(b)(1).
    • This may occur as part of a regular parent meeting.
  • Each school must review, update, and adopt its plan by March 1 every year.
     

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES

 

Section 1. Training and Scheduling

  • Annually, the Principal shall train the SSC in their roles and responsibilities.
  • Annually, the Council shall establish and publish a regular meeting schedule by September 30.
  • There shall be a minimum of five meetings each school year. This must include at least two joint meetings with the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) to inform and approve the SPSA and Safety Plan drafts.
  • Each meeting shall be scheduled for 60 minutes.
  • Meetings may be held virtually or in person at the Council's annual discretion.

Section 2. Public Access and Agendas

  • Agendas will be publicly posted at least 72 hours in advance, with all meeting documents included (ParentSquare and school website).
  • The notice shall specify the date, time, and location of the meeting and contain an agenda describing each item of business.
  • Agendas will note that meetings are open to the public and include a “Public Comments” section.
  • The Council may not take any action on any item of business unless that item appears on the posted agenda.
  • All meetings are open to the public, and agendas allow any member of the public to address the SSC during the meeting on any item within the SSC's subject-matter jurisdiction.
  • SSC meetings may be conducted remotely via any virtual platform accessible on participants' mobile phones, tablets, and/or computers in any manner that complies with the requirements of Greene Act (EC Section 35147), which includes the flexibility of meeting either virtually or in person.

Section 3. Minutes and Accountability

  • Minutes will be taken at each meeting and voted upon for approval at the subsequent meeting. The Secretary takes meeting minutes and proposes their approval.
  • The Chairperson collaborates with the principal to set the agenda and facilitate the meeting. The Chairperson signs documents approved by the SSC and represents the school site at the District PAC/DELAC meetings.
  • Attendance of SSC members shall be recorded in the meeting minutes.
  • If the meeting is recorded or if AI/other technology tools are used for transcription, participants will be informed at the start and given the opportunity to consent.

Section 4. Procedural Violations and Records

  • If the SSC violates the procedural meeting requirements, upon demand of any person, the SSC must reconsider the item at its next meeting, after allowing for public input.
  • The Council will provide, upon request, any meeting materials to any member of the public pursuant to the California Public Records Act.
  • SSC records, materials, and supporting documents must be retained for a period of three years, or longer if litigation, claim, or audit is pending.

ARTICLE V: VOTING PROCEDURES

 

Section 1. Quorum

The chairperson must verify that a quorum  is present before voting. A quorum is defined as a majority of the membership present. This number is half the SSC membership plus one. 

 

Section 2. Motion and Vote

  • A member makes a motion, and another member must second the motion.
  • The Chair opens the floor for discussion and potential amendment to the motion.
  • The Chair calls for votes: "All in favor? Opposed? Abstentions?". Voting is done by voice.
  • Each member is entitled to one vote; absentee or by proxy voting are not permitted.
  • The motion passes if it receives a majority of votes.

Section 3. Record Keeping

The SSC secretary records the final vote count (e.g., 8-0-1) in the meeting minutes.

 

ARTICLE VI: POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUITY

 

The School Site Council/PAC adheres to the CUSD policy of nondiscrimination and equity in all of its proceedings, membership selection, and actions as specified in Board Policy 0410: Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities.

 

 

District Policies and Resources from the CDE

Board Policy 0420: Site Councils

AR 0420: Site Councils

California Department of Education

CDE FAQ

 

Sample SSC Agenda

 

  • Call to Order
  • Roll call (Establish Quorum)
  • Review and approval of Meeting Minutes
  • Principal’s Update
  • Information Item and/or Report from Standing Committees
  • Public comments (required)
  • Discussion/Action* 
  • Agenda setting
  • Adjournment