2013-KC COOMBS MIDDLE SCHOOL COUCIL

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