School Community Council

 

 

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School Community Councils (SCC's) improve educational programs and conditions at public schools. Councils operate using the shared governance approach: collaborative, site-based decision making to meet individual school improvement goals. Every public school in Utah has a community council consisting of two elected groups: parents (that’s you!) and teachers/administrators. 

The Westvale SCC has responsibilities defined both by the Jordan School District and the Utah Legislature. Two of our biggest responsibilities are assisting in the development of School Improvement Plans (SIP's) and LAND Trust Plans. SCC's also work on issues brought forth by parents, staff, and faculty.

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How can I get involved with the Westvale School Community Council?

• Attend monthly meetings! 
• Read the minutes posted below! 
• Become an elected member! 

School Community Council Meetings

We invite you to attend Westvale Elementary SCC meetings to learn about our greatest academic needs, our School Improvement Plan, and help in the decision-making process for using LAND Trust funds. At Westvale we also regularly discuss school safety, budgets, share district news, and talk about other important issues affecting our school. You have a voice and together we can make a positive difference in the education of our children!

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Resources:

Learn more about shared governance and the role of councils here:

School Land and Trust

Jordan School District School Community Council Resources

School Community Council Candidate Form

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Rules of Order and Procedure

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 you represent are included in discussions
• Expect accountability and be prepared to be accountable
• Act with integrity

 Rules of Procedure: 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, will be posted on the school website and made available in the main office.  The agenda will include the date, time and location of the meeting.

Minutes will be kept of all meetings, prepared in draft format for approval at the next scheduled meeting.

The council will prepare 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 preparation of agendas to be sure the council accomplishes their work in a timely manner.

The council consists of the principal, 1 school employee(s) who is/are elected in even years, 1 school employee(s) who is/are elected in odd years,  and 7 parent members, half of whom are elected in even years and half in odd years.  In the event there is a tie vote in an election, the principal shall flip a coin to determine the outcome.  (Size of the council should be determined by the council, but councils are required to consist of the principal, at least one school employee, and at least four parents with a two-parent majority on the council. Elections are required to be staggered)

The chair conducts the meetings, makes assignments and requests reports on assignments. In the absence of the chair the vice-chair shall conduct meetings.

The council must have a quorum to vote.  A quorum is equal to a majority of council members.

If a parent member is absent from two consecutive meetings, the chair will notify the member that if the member does not attend the next meeting, the council will consider the seat vacant and the remaining parent members will appoint a parent to fill the unexpired term.

The council must determine a procedure for a council member to disclose a conflict of interest if required by the local school board.

Meetings shall be conducted and action taken according to very simplified rules of parliamentary procedure as required in 53G-7-1203(10).  Council actions will be taken by motions and voting with votes and motions recorded in the minutes.

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