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SSC Bylaws

2020-2021

Chaparral Elementary 

School Site Council 

School Site Council  

Purpose, Organization & Bylaws

Chaparral Elementary School

School Site Council (SSC) Purpose

School Site Council:

  • Approves the School Improvement Plan or School Plan 
    • Developed to provide strategies for improving the educational performance of our students.  
    • One of the documents used to determine goals is the state standardized test results, (RenSTAR District Universal Assessment & Common Core State Standards Assessments, CAASPP).
  • Reviews the on-going efforts at implementing the School Plan 
  • What is occurring in the school to meet the written goals?
  • Is the budget reflective and supportive of the plan?
  • Does the data show that the plan is effectively meeting the needs of students?
  • What revisions are necessary to increase student achievement?
  • Will be informed about 
    • Current and upcoming trends in educational instruction 
    • School, district, federal and state educational goals
    • Monetary resources related to improving student learning
  • Will use this information to make decisions that positively benefit the students of Chaparral Elementary School.

Appendix E: Organizing the School Site Council 

School Site Council

The California EC requires the School Site Council (SSC) to develop a Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) for ConApp programs operated at the school or in which the school participates. In addition, Pupil Retention and School and Library Improvement Block Grant programs operated at the school must be included in the SPSA. The SSC must approve the plan, recommend it to the local governing board for approval, monitor implementation of the SPSA, and evaluate the results.

At least annually, the SSC must revise the SPSA, including proposed expenditures of funds allocated to the school through the ConApp, and recommend it to the local governing board for approval. Also, the SSC annually considers whether or not the school will participate in the School-Based Coordinated Program (SBCP) and indicates its decision in the SPSA.

Composition 

Composition of the SSC is specified in the California EC Section 52852 as follows:

  • The SSC shall be composed of the principal and representatives of: teachers selected by teachers at the school; other school personnel selected by other school personnel at the school; parents of students attending the school selected by such parents; and in secondary schools, students selected by students attending the school.
  • At the elementary level, the SSC shall be constituted to ensure parity between (a) the principal, classroom teachers, and other school personnel; and (b) parents; or other community members selected by parents. In schools with fewer than three teachers, this requirement may be met by establishing a SSC that is composed of equal numbers of school staff and parents or other community members selected by parents.
  • At the secondary level, the SSC shall be constituted to ensure parity between (a) the principal, classroom teachers, and other school personnel, and (b) equal numbers of parents or other community members selected by parents, and students.
  • At both the elementary and secondary levels, classroom teachers shall comprise the majority of persons represented under subdivision (a) of this section.
  • School districts that maintain kindergarten or any of grades one to eight, inclusive, and that maintain schools with fewer than 100 students each, and that share a common attendance area may establish a single SSC for the common attendance area.
  • At the discretion of the local governing board, the middle school may, but is not required to, include student representation on the SSC.
  • If a middle school SSC includes students, the SSC must meet the composition requirements of secondary schools.

Composition of an Elementary SSC

Composition of a Secondary SSC

Selection 

The means of selecting SSC members is not specified in law, except that members must be chosen by peers. No additional membership qualifications may be required. Beyond the composition requirements stated above, no seat on the SSC may be reserved for any group or individual. Membership in most school site councils is determined by ballot, but could be decided in an open meeting by voice vote.

To ensure broad support for the selection process, and to avoid controversy over the selection of SSC members, board policy, or SSC bylaws may specify:

  • The means of selecting members and officers
  • Terms of office for members and officers
  • The notice of elections for each peer group
  • The responsibilities of the SSC and time commitment involved
  • A policy of nondiscrimination, as may occur by limiting membership to a select group

Many schools elect members for a two-year term, with elections for half the members held in even years and half in odd years. This practice ensures that the SSC will not be composed entirely of new members each year. Some schools assure additional continuity by electing non-voting alternate members, who are seated as voting members by the SSC in the event of a midterm vacancy on the school site council.


Officers

In order to conduct business effectively, the SSC needs to include officers with stated responsibilities and authority, including:

  • A chairperson to organize, convene, and lead meetings of the SSC
  • A vice chairperson to serve in the absence of the chairperson
  • A secretary to record actions taken at SSC meetings and keep SSC records
  • A parliamentarian to resolve questions of procedure, often with the help of Robert’s Rules of Order or similar guide
  • Other officers as necessary to perform stated duties in support of the work of the SCC

Article I: Duties of the SSC

The SSC of Chaparral Elementary School, hereinafter referred to as the SSC, shall carry out the following duties:

  • Obtain recommendations for, and review of, the proposed SPSA from all school advisory committees
  • Develop and approve the SPSA and related expenditures in accordance with all state and federal laws and regulations
  • Recommend the SPSA and expenditures to the governing board for approval
  • Provide ongoing review of the implementation of the SPSA with the principal, teachers, and other school staff members
  • Make modifications to the SPSA whenever the need arises
  • Submit the modified SPSA for governing board approval whenever a material change (as defined in district governing board policy) is made in planned activities or related expenditures
  • Annually (and at each semester, trimester, etc.) evaluate the progress made toward school goals to raise the academic achievement of all students
  • Carry out all other duties assigned to the SSC by the district governing board and by state law


Article II: Members

Section A: Composition

The SSC shall be composed of members, selected by their peers, as follows:

  • Two to three Classroom teachers
  •  One to two Other school staff members
  • Four Parents or community members
  • The school principal 

SSC members chosen to represent parents may be employees of the school district so long as they are not employed at this school.

Section B: Term of Office

SSC members shall be elected for two-year terms. At the first regular meeting of the SSC, each member's current term of office shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. In the event that all members current term of office expire at the same time, the SSC may vote to extend the term of one or more members for one additional year so that the number of outgoing members and in-coming members are not equal. SSC members can volunteer to extend their term and if more members volunteer to extend their term than are needed, a special election by the peers of the members will be held. 

Section C: Voting Rights

Each member is entitled to one vote and may cast that vote on any matter submitted to a vote of the SSC. Absentee ballots shall not be permitted. If an elected member of the SSC cannot attend a meeting, alternate members in order of number of votes received by peers can attend and vote in the member’s absence. The alternate member is a voting member temporarily only for each absence as they occur. The next largest number of votes received during the official School Site Election at the beginning of each school year is determined to be alternate member number 1 and so on. 

Section D: Termination of Membership

The SSC may, by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of all its members (not including alternates when a quorum is present), suspend or expel a member. Any elected member may terminate his or her membership by submitting a written letter of resignation to the SSC chairperson.

Section E: Transfer of Membership

Membership on the SSC may not be assigned or transferred. 

Section F: Vacancy

Any vacancy on the SSC occurring during the term of a duly elected member shall be filled by a new member, selected in the following manner:

  1. The seating of a previously elected alternate member to fill the remainder of the term of the vacant seat (by largest number of votes)
  2. If no alternate members were elected, appointment of the SSC for the period of time until the next regular election

Article III: Officers

Section A: Officers

The officers of the SSC shall be a chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, and other officers the SSC may deem desirable.

The chairperson shall:

  • Preside at all meetings of the SSC
  • Sign all letters, reports, and other communications of the SSC
  • Perform all duties incident to the office of the chairperson
  • Have other such duties as are prescribed by the SSC

The vice-chairperson shall:

  • Represent the chairperson in assigned duties
  • Substitute for the chairperson in his or her absence

The secretary shall:

  • Keep minutes of all regular and special meetings of the SSC
  • Transmit true and correct copies of the minutes of such meetings to members of the SSC and to the following other persons: Principal and Office Manager
  • Provide all notices in accordance with these bylaws
  • Be custodian of the records of the SSC
  • Keep a register of the names, addresses and telephone numbers of each member of the SSC, the chairpersons of school advisory committees, and others with whom the SSC has regular dealings, as furnished by those persons
  • Perform other such duties as are assigned by the chairperson or the SSC


Section B: Election and Terms of Office

The officers shall be elected annually at the first meeting of the SSC and shall serve for one year, or until each successor has been elected.

Section C: Removal of Officers

Officers may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of all the members. 


Section D: Vacancy

A vacancy in any office shall be filled at the earliest opportunity by alternate members in order of number of votes received by peers. The next largest number of votes received is alternate member number 1 and so on or if no alternate members exist by a special election of the SSC for the remaining portion of the term of office.

Article IV: Committees

Section A: Subcommittees

The SSC may establish and abolish subcommittees of its own membership to perform duties as shall be prescribed by the SSC. At least one member representing teachers and one member representing parents shall make up the subcommittee. Alternate elected SSC members are eligible to serve on a subcommittee. No subcommittee may exercise the authority of the SSC.

Section B: Other Standing and Special Committees

The SSC may establish and abolish standing or special committees with such composition to perform such duties as shall be prescribed by the SSC.  No such committee may exercise the authority of the SSC.


Section C: Membership

Unless otherwise determined by the SSC, the SSC chairperson shall appoint members of standing or special committees. A vacancy on a committee shall be filled by appointment made by the chairperson.

Section D: Terms of Office

The SSC shall determine the terms of office for members of a committee. 

Section E: Quorum

A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum, unless otherwise determined by the SSC. The act of a majority of the members present shall be the act of the committee, provided a quorum is in attendance.

Article V: Meetings of the SSC

Section A: Meetings

The SSC shall meet at least 4 times during the school year on a regularly scheduled school day of the month chosen and scheduled by the majority of SSC members. Special meetings of the SSC may be called by the chairperson or by a majority vote of the SSC.

Section B: Place of Meetings

The SSC shall hold its regular meetings at a facility provided by the school, unless such a facility that is accessible to the public, including handicapped persons, is unavailable. Alternate meeting places may be determined by the chairperson or by majority vote of the SSC.

Section C: Notice of Meetings

Written public notice shall be given of all meetings at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Changes in the established date, time, or location shall be given special notice. All meetings shall be publicized in the following venues: Cub Corner Newsletter, PFC email blast, and Marquee at the front of the school.

All required notices should be delivered to the SSC and committee members no less than 72 hours and no more than 30 days in advance of the meeting, personally or by mail (or by e-mail).


Section D: Quorum

The act of a majority of the members present shall be the act of the SSC, provided a quorum is in attendance, and no decision may otherwise be attributed to the SSC. A majority of the members of the SSC shall constitute a quorum. Alternate SSC members, who were part of the yearly election, can be asked to attend and vote for members who are in abstention.

Section E: Conduct of Meetings

Meetings of the SSC shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of order established by California EC Section 3147(c), and with Robert's Rules of Order or an adaptation thereof approved by the SSC.

Section F: Meetings Open to the Public

All meetings of the SSC, and of committees established by the SSC, shall be open to the public. Notice of such meetings shall be provided in accordance with Section C of this article.

Article VI: Amendments

An amendment of these bylaws may be made at any regular meeting of the SSC by a vote of two-thirds of the members present. Written notice of the proposed amendment must be submitted to SSC members at least 5 days prior to the meeting at which the amendment is to be considered for adoption.

Appendix I: Acronyms and Specialized Terms

Listed below are acronyms for specific terminology, organizations, or programs associated with the SPSA. Most of the acronyms are "hot-linked" to information on the topic of the acronym:

ACRONYM

STANDS FOR

WEB ADDRESS

ADA

Average Daily Attendance

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/fd/ec/ 

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

API

Academic Performance Index

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ap 

APS

Academic Program Survey

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ti/stateassesspi.asp.

ATP

Action Team for Partnerships

http://www.csos.jhu.edu/p2000/nnps_model/school/atp.htm

AYP

Adequate Yearly Progress

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ay/index.asp

BTSA

Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment

http://www.btsa.ca.gov

BTTP

Bilingual Teacher Training Program

http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/bt

CAHSEE

California High School Exit Examination

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/ 

CAPA

California Alternative Performance Assessment

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/capa.asp

CARS

Consolidated Application Reporting System

http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/co/cars.asp 

CBEDS

California Basic Educational Data System

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/dc/cb/

CDE

California Department of Education

http://www.cde.ca.gov

CELDT

California English Language Development Test

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/el

CMA

California Modified Assessment

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/cmastar.asp

COE

County offices of education

http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/sd/co/index.asp 

COP

Committee of Practitioners (Title I)

http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/cc/pr/

CSAM

California School Accounting Manual

http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/ac/sa

CSCS

California School Climate Survey

http://cscs.wested.org/ 

CSIS

California School Information Services

http://csis.fcmat.org/Pages/default.aspx

CSR

Comprehensive School Reform

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/compreform/2pager.html

CST

California Standards Test

http://www.startest.org/cst.html

CTC

Commission on Teacher Credentialing

http://www.ctc.ca.gov

DAC

District Advisory Council

http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/co/dac.asp

DAS

District Assistance Survey

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ti/documents/das09.doc

DELAC

District-level English Learner Advisory Committee

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/cr/delac.asp

EC

Education Code

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/calawquery?codesection=edc&codebody=&hits=20

EDGAR

U. S. Department of Education General Administrative Regulations

http://www.ed.gov/policy/fund/reg/edgarReg/edgar.html

EL

English learner

ELAC

English Learner Advisory Council

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/cr/elac.asp 

ELAP

English Language Acquisition Program

http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/ca/englishlang.asp 

ELD

English-language development

ELSSA

English Learner Subgroup Self-Assessment

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ti/stateassesspi.asp

EO

English-only (monolingual English)

EPC

Essential Program Components

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/lp/vl/essentialcomp.asp 

ESEA

Elementary and Secondary Education Act

http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/index.html

ESLRs

Expected Schoolwide Learning Results

http://www.acswasc.org/process_ca_comprehensive.htm

FEP

Fluent English-Proficient

FOL

Focus on Learning

http://www.acswasc.org/process_ca_comprehensive.htm

FPM

Federal Program Monitoring

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/cr/ 

FTE

Full-Time-Equivalent

http://data1.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/gls_fte.htm

GATE

Gifted and Talented Education

http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/gt/ 

GED

General Educational Development Test

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/gd 

IDEA

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 

http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/lr/ideareathztn.asp.

IEP

Immigrant Education Program (NCLB, Title III)

http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/t3 

IEP

Individualized education program

http://www.calstat.org/iep/

ISS

Inventory of Supports and Services for students with disabilities

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ti/stateassesspi.asp.

LC

Language census

LD

Learning disabled

LEA

Local educational agency

http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/sd 

LEP

Limited English-proficient

http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/t3/lep.asp 

NAEP

National Assessment of Educational Progress

http://www.nagb.org

NCE

Normal Curve Equivalent

http://www.startest.org/pdfs/post-test_guide2005.appe.pdf

NCLB

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

http://www2.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml 

PI

Program Improvement

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ti/programimprov.asp 

PSAA

Public Schools Accountability Act

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/pa/

PTA

Parent Teacher Association

http://www.pta.org/ 

RFEP

Reclassified to fluent English proficient

http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/rd/ 

ROPC

Regional Occupational Program and Centers

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/si/rp/

RSDSS

Regional System for District and School Support

http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/sw/ss/s4directory.asp 

SAC

School advisory committee

http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/co/dacreqltr022812.asp 

SARC

School Accountability Report Card

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/sa 

SBCP

School-Based Coordinated Programs

SEA

State education agency

http://www.cde.ca.gov

SESM

Special Education Supports Module 

http://www.calstat.org/pdf/2009B-SESM_Announcement.pdf

SPSA

Single Plan for Student Achievement

http://www.cde.ca.gov/nclb/sr/le/singleplan.asp

STAR

Standardized Testing and Reporting

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr 

STS

Standards-Based Tests in Spanish

http://star.cde.ca.gov/star2007/AboutSTAR.asp

SWP

Schoolwide program

http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/sw/rt/ 

TAS

Targeted assistance school

http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/sw/rt/tasinfo.asp 

UCP

Uniform Complaint Procedures

http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cp/uc 

WASC

Western Association of Schools and Colleges

http://www.acswasc.org