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WISCONSIN AVENUE SCHOOL GOVERNANCE COUNCIL BY-LAWS
REVISED: September 19, 2001

ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be: "Wisconsin Avenue School Governance Council."

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The Wisconsin Avenue School Governance Council is committed to maintenance of cooperation among staff, parents and the community .The council mission is to promote shared decisions which are conducive to improving the success of all children and enhancing the over-all teaching / learning environment. Primary goals of the council are to participate in the development and approval of school budgets and the school educational plan. The council is to serve in an advisory capacity to the principal, the entire school and the community .

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
All adults of the Wisconsin Avenue School community are eligible to become elected members of the council. The Wisconsin Avenue School Governance Council shall be comprised of parents, staff, community partners and the principal. The specific size of the council shall be no larger than (20) members: Principal (1), Community Partner (1), Parents (9), Teachers (4), and Educational Assistants (2). Council membership shall be by peer group election. Nominations will be held prior to the election. Individuals may nominate themselves. Parents shall comprise a majority of the council membership. Council members shall serve two-year terms in office. Positions of members not returning to the school in fall, or members who resign, shall be filled by peer group elections. Members must be present for 60% (6 out of 9) of the council meetings, or forfeit their position on the council. Anticipated absences shall be reported to the chairperson or the secretary . The minutes of the meetings shall record present and absent members. The council secretary shall be responsible for taking attendance.

ARTICLE IV. FISCAL YEAR
The school council fiscal year shall begin on July 1 and end June 30.

ARTICLE V. QUORUM
To conduct business, a simple majority of council members (10) must be in attendance. If there is less than a simple majority in attendance, the meeting shall be adjourned.

ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS
Officer positions shall consist of a chairperson (s) and a secretary. The term of office for the council officers shall be one year. The duties of the chairperson shall be to facilitate the council meetings and be the official representative of the council. The chairperson shall also coordinate all council business and ensure the implementation of the actions of the council. At least one of the officers shall be present at all meetings. The council secretary shall keep an accurate written record of the proceedings of all meetings, take attendance, and distribute the minutes to parents, staff and the community (as appropriate) in a timely fashion. Officer positions shall be filled annually by a majority vote election among council 
members.

Article VII. MEETINGS
The schedule of meetings for the year shall be determined at the September meeting of the council. This schedule will be posted in the school office. Any member of the Wisconsin Avenue School community may attend any and all council meetings. Each meeting will be followed by a 15 to 30 minutes open forum that will give non-council members the opportunity to speak to agenda items or suggest agenda items for the next council meeting. All decisions made by the council shall be reached by consensus. Only official council members may participate in the consensus negotiations. Discussion by council members shall continue until a consensus decision is reached. In the event that consensus is not reached, within a reasonable amount of time, the council members may ask to table the discussion until the next meeting. If unable to reach consensus at the next council meeting, a vote will be taken where majority will rule.

Article VIII. COMMITTEES

Section I. The council will form committees as needed.
Section II. Standing committees will consist of previously established school committees.
Section III. Ad Hoc committees shall be formed by volunteers first, or may be appointed by the chairperson and school administrators', .if there are not enough volunteers. There must be at least one council member on each Ad Hoc committee. Each committee shall consist of not less then three persons.

Article IX. EVALUATION
The effectiveness of the council shall be evaluated by an assessment of the results of decisions and the  amount of satisfaction with decisions made by the council. A survey format will be used in late spring to determine council effectiveness, with the opportunity to make suggestions for improving council performance.

Article X. STAFF DEVELOPMENT
Appropriate in service sessions will be conducted as recommended by school board action, central services, school staff and the council. Topics may include, but are not limited to: team building, meaningful parent involvement, school and council mission, community resources, group dynamics, conflict resolution, budget, school educational plans and consensus building.

Article XI. AMENDMENTS
Council by-laws may be amended by council action. Amendments must be submitted in writing at council meetings. An amendment must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the membership of the council.