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�i <br /> 1 , <br /> PART TWO: LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES <br /> A. Establishment of Councils <br /> S . Are all schools required to establish a school council? <br /> Yes . The law requires that there be a school council "at each <br /> public elementary, secondary and independent vocational school in <br /> the Commonwealth. " <br /> 6 . If a school already has a council, site-based team, or steering <br /> committee that meets the requirements of the law for the <br /> composition of school councils, may it consider that team as its <br /> school council? <br /> Yes . The law allows for this possibility. It reads : <br /> Nothing contained in this section shall require a new <br /> school council to be formed if an existing school council <br /> fulfills the intent of this section, the parent and <br /> teacher members thereof were selected in a manner <br /> consistent with the provisions of this section and the <br /> membership thereof complies with the aforesaid fifty <br /> percent requirement. <br /> 7 . Who makes the determination that an existing group meets the <br /> requirements of the mandate for establishing school councils? <br /> Local school committees are responsible for ensuring that council <br /> members are selected through a representative process . If there <br /> are any questions about whether an 'existing group meets the ✓ <br /> requirement of the legislation, these questions are to be resolved <br /> by the Department of Education. <br /> 8 • Who is responsible for organizing a school council? <br /> The law explicitly gives the school principal responsibility for <br /> defining the composition and overseeing the formation of the <br /> council pursuant to a representative process approved by the <br /> superintendent and school committee . As co-chair of the council , <br /> the principal is also responsible for convening the first meeting <br /> of the council . At this meeting, the other co-chair is to be <br /> elected. <br /> Is there a timeline for when councils need to be established? <br /> Yes . The law gives principals responsibility "for convening the <br /> first meeting no later than forty days after the first day of <br /> e:+ <br /> school . " <br /> 3 <br />