Sierra View Elementary Schooltitle

The Academics Plus Program focuses on reading, writing and math, rounded out by a solid curriculum in composition, science, history, and geography.  These are the foundations for all future learning and a successful career.  Enrichment subjects, such as art, drama, and music are taught, but the fundamental program receives priority. This program is designed to instill within each child confidence, a sense of responsibility, pride in accomplishment, and a positive self-image through academic achievement.  This program emphasizes an orderly learning environment.  It is also expected that parents have the opportunity to actively participate in their children's education.

The PAC shall support the program teachers and the Sierra View School Community.

The PAC governs the Academics Plus Program Guidelines (Appendix Two) and the Academics Plus Program "Guidelines for Success" parent contract (Appendix Three) and Academics Plus Program "Student's Agreement" (Appendix Four). 

The PAC shall coordinate and assist in all fundraising events and/or activities as deemed necessary to support the academic needs of the program.

COMPOSITION OF THE PARENTS ADVISORY COUNCIL
The PAC shall consist of six to eight parent members whose children are enrolled in the Academics Plus Program, and the Principal as an ex-officio member. All council members shall enjoy full rights and obligations of membership.

SECTION 2
MEMBERS
The members of the PAC shall be Chairperson, Vice-chairperson, Secretary, Financial Secretary, two Special Event Coordinators, and, when possible, two General Council Members.

SECTION 3
ELECTIONS
Three new officers shall be elected to the PAC each year. Any parent interested in running for membership must contact the PAC Chair or Vice-Chair within thirty (30) days prior to election. Seats on the council shall be filled by ballot and/or direct election.

a. BALLOT ELECTION
Notice of pending vacancies and election shall be published in the school newsletter and posted on the Academics Plus bulletin board a minimum of 30 days to election. Election shall be held by ballot of all Academics Plus parents within seven (7) days prior to the regularly scheduled May meeting. Ballots including all interested individuals shall be sent home with students. Only one ballot per person shall be counted. Only ballots returned by specified date on ballot will constitute a valid vote.

b. DIRECT ELECTION
If there is only one nominee for each open seat, the ballot for those seats may be dispensed with and the election held by a direct vote by all council members present at the general meeting (quorum must be present). All ballots must be counted in the presence of three PAC members, one of which must be the school principal.

SECTION 4
TERM OF OFFICE
Members shall serve for a two-year term, consisting of two full school years. A person who has served as a member for more than six months of a full term shall be deemed to have served a full term of the council.  No member shall serve two consecutive terms. However, if a position on the board cannot be filled, then a previous member may serve another two year term, but not in the same position.

SECTION 5
VOTING RIGHTS
Members shall be entitled to one vote and may cast that vote on all matters submitted for a vote. Proxy voting shall not be permitted.

SECTION 6
RESIGNATION
Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Chairperson or Vice-chairperson of the PAC.

SECTION 7
VACANCY
Any vacancy on the council shall be filled in the accordance with Article 2, Section 3 of this document. If a seat remains unfilled after election, it shall be considered a vacant seat to be filled by appointment of the council-elect.

SECTION 8
Council members may not be related by blood or marriage or reside in the same household as the other members of the council.

SECTION 9
COUNCIL-ELECT
The Chairperson-elect may call meetings as necessary of the members-elect and the principal of the school, or a representative appointed by the principal, to ratify appointments of council members and/or to make plans for the coming year's work.

CHAIRPERSON
The Chairperson shall:
Preside at all meetings
Share in the development of the agenda
Establish a "calendar of events" schedule by the first meeting of each school year
Be a member ex officio of all committees
Have all newsletters, flyers and/or notices approved by the principal, prior to distribution
Be the official representative of the council
Perform such other duties as may be prescribed in these by-laws or assigned by the council

SECTION 2
THE VICE-CHAIRPERSON shall:
Act in the place of the Chairperson in his/her absence.
Act as aide to the Chairperson
Organize the PAC spring elections
Distribute the Academics Plus Program "Guideline for a Successful Program"
 parent contract to parents at the beginning of each year and the "Student Agreement" to the students at the beginning of each year.

SECTION 3
THE SECRETARY shall:
Keep the minutes of the meetings, both regular and special
See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these by-laws
Update permanent records of the PAC with current year's records
Keep a register of the address and telephone number of each member
Perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary

SECTION 4
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY shall:
Keep an accurate record of all financial transactions conducted by the PAC as documented by the monthly CUSD financial statement
Work closely with the Principal to discriminate financial information
Count and record any monies received by the PAC along with one other person

SECTION 5
TWO SPECIAL EVENT COORDINATORS shall:
Arrange for educational assemblies, fundraisers and any other special events as voted on by the council
Represent the PAC at all informational meetings such as New Parent Orientation and District sponsored Kindergarten Parent Orientation meetings

SECTION 6
TWO GENERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS shall:
Be voting members of the Council, offering input and assistance without a defined role.
Represent the PAC to the general parent-body of the school.

In order to facilitate greater communication on campus one council member will be appointed as a liaison between the PTA and the PAC each year.

TEACHER SELECTION WITHIN DISTRICT
A minimum of one member of the PAC board, one  teacher, and one parent will serve on the committee that will review internal teacher applicants for the Academics Plus Program and give input to the principal
Any member of the committee shall recuse himself/herself from this process should there exist a conflict of interest with the applicant
All members of the committee and ex-officio members shall hold any personnel matter discussed in the committee in the strictest of confidence
The final decision(s) as to who is hired rests with the ChicoUnifiedSchool District

SECTION 2
TEACHER SELECTION OUTSIDE DISTRICT
All items listed in Section 1 above are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof as though fully set forth
The Affirmative Action policy of the ChicoUnifiedSchool District will be followed in the selection of personnel

MONTHLY MEETINGS
The PAC shall meet regularly on a monthly basis during the academic year. All meetings are open to all parents. In addition, a general election meeting shall be held each May. The general election meeting should be the last one of the year. The members will set the time for the meetings annually. At least one "Evening Meeting/Reception" will be held per year to encourage greater participation from the general parent-body.

SECTION 2
NOTICE OF MEETINGS
The Chairperson and Principal will develop an agenda. Parents wishing to place items on the agenda need to contact the PAC Chairperson and/or Principal one week prior to the scheduled meeting. The agenda will be posted one week prior to the meeting.

SECTION 3
DECISIONS OF PAC
All recommendations of the PAC shall be made only after an affirmative vote of a majority of its members in attendance, provided a quorum is in attendance.

SECTION 4
QUORUM
The presence of four of the members will constitute a quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the PAC. No decision of the PAC shall be valid unless a majority of the members of the PAC concur by their votes.

SECTION 5
MEETINGS OPEN TO THE SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES
All regular and special meetings of the PAC, and of its standing or special committee, shall be open at all times to representatives from the school district.

SECTION 6
CLOSED SESSION
All personnel matters shall be deemed to be in closed session. Any discussion therefore shall be deemed to be in the strictest of confidence.

FUND ALLOCATION
The PAC will work with staff to determine guidelines and make recommendations to the principal concerning the expenditure of allocated funds every year.

SECTION 2
STUDENT CLASSROOM PLACEMENT
The PAC has voted, in collaboration with Academics Plus Program faculty, to facilitate student movement between each of the Academic Plus classes. Teachers, working together shall make the assignments. If a concern arises about a child's placement for an academic reason, the parent(s) should include this information in a letter to the principal. Without a very compelling reason your child's placement will not be changed. The class list will be posted the day before school begins each year.

SECTION 3
TEACHER REPRESENTATION AT PAC MEETINGS
Teachers are encouraged to attend all meetings. A school year calendar will be posted for sign ups at the first of the school year. Teachers are to attend two meetings per year.

A two-thirds vote of members may adopt the amended by-laws provided a written notice of the meeting and proposed amendments was posted and given to each PAC member 30 days prior to the date of the meeting.

By-law amendments must be placed on the PAC agendas. Notification to parents and staff will be through the Sierra Viewer. A vote will be held at a PAC meeting following quorum requirements. Notification to staff and parents will be the responsibility of the PAC. The date for implementation must be included.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Superintendent of Schools of the Chico Unified School District and the Chairperson to the PAC have caused these By-Laws to be duly executed on _________________, 2010.

________________________
Director of Educational Services
Chico Unified School District

________________________
Claire Johnson, Chairperson
Parent Advisory Council
Academics Plus Program


Revised February 2010