Hillcrest Elementary

The Hillcrest Elementary School Community Council (Hillcrest SCC) was created to support school improvement and the academic achievement of students through increased community involvement in the school.

These Bylaws will be posted on the SCC page of the school website. Each SCC member will read and agree to abide by the Bylaws at the beginning of each school year.

Purpose:

The Hillcrest SCC provides an opportunity for members of the school community to participate in the collaborative decision making process to build an effective school. In accordance with State guidelines, the purpose of the SCC is:

1. To build consistent and effective communication among parents, employees, and administrators.
2. To allow parents an opportunity to be actively involved with the school in the education of their children.
3. To support school improvement and student achievement through increased community involvement.

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of the Hillcrest SCC shall be in accordance with State, Logan City School District, and school guidelines as outlined in these bylaws. The Hillcrest SCC will:

1. Assist in the development and implementation of an on-going, comprehensive School Improvement Plan. 
2. Meet the requirements for the development and implementation of a Staff Development Plan. 
3. Develop a child safe access routing plan for approaching or leaving the school (Safe Routes Plan).
4. Develop a plan for the use of School Trust Lands monies to address specific academic needs. 
5. Partner with school administration in creating a safe and constructive internet environment for students.
6. Provide a forum for community and patron issues to be addressed.
7. Advise the Hillcrest Elementary School and Logan City School District administration with regard to school-level policies, procedures and issues or concerns.
8. Function in other capacities as determined by the administration of Hillcrest Elementary School or Logan City School District.

Membership:

The Hillcrest SCC shall consist of the following:

1. Five (5) parents or guardians of students who attend Hillcrest Elementary School or who will be or was enrolled at the school at any time during the parent's or guardian's term of office may serve as a parent or guardian member of the council.
2. Two (2) employees of Hillcrest Elementary School. 
3. The school principal, who serves as an ex-officio member with full voting privileges.
4. The number of parent/guardian members shall exceed the number of school employees, including the school principal by two (2).

Elections:

Parent or guardian members shall be elected by a majority vote of the parents or guardians of students enrolled in Hillcrest Elementary School.

Votes will be conducted by secret ballot. Elections shall:

• Begin within the first 30 days of the school year.
• Extend for a period of at least three consecutive school days.

Written notice of the elections shall be given at least 7 days prior to the election. Results of the election will be made available to the public upon request.

If there are more candidates than available seats, two alternates will be selected from the remaining candidates in the order of the number of votes received. They will be appointed as voting members of the council if a seat is vacated prior to the next election and the council votes to fill the vacated seat.

If a parent/guardian position remains unfilled after the election or is vacated prior to the completion of a term and there are no alternates, the other parent/guardian members of the Council may appoint a parent/guardian, who meets the qualifications of this policy, to the position for the remainder of the term. If the number of parents falls below five (5), the parents must appoint a parent/guardian.

Employee members are selected by the Hillcrest Guiding Coalition. If a school employee position is vacated prior to the completion of a term, the other school employee members of the Council shall appoint a school employee to the position for the remainder of the term.

Terms:

The term of office for an elected council member is two (2) years from the date the election was held. Elected council members may serve up to three successive terms. There will be 3 positions open in even years and 2 in odd years. 

Officers:

Officers shall be elected by the SCC at the first meeting each school year following the Hillcrest SCC election. The current Chair will serve through the summer, assist with SCC elections, conduct the September meeting and assist in the transition even if they no longer have a student at Hillcrest. Officers shall consist of the following:

1. Chair with the following responsibilities:
   • Call and conduct council meetings or appoint someone else to conduct.
   • Set meeting agendas with the school principal.
   • Act as council signatory.
2. Vice-Chair who assists the chair and assumes the duties of the chair in his/her absence.
3. Secretary with the following responsibilities:
   • Record and keep the roll and minutes of official meetings.
   • Keep custody of council records.
   • Conduct council correspondence.
4. Principal with the following responsibilities:
   • SCC elections each fall.
   • Preparation, posting and dissemination of all necessary information, summaries, and notices as required by applicable Utah law, rules, and regulations.
   • Notify Logan City School District of changes in council membership.

Officers serve for a one-year term of office, beginning with the first meeting held after school Community Council elections each September.

The chair must be a parent or guardian member. The vice-chair may be either a parent/guardian member or an employee member of the council excluding the principal.

If an officer position becomes vacant, the council shall fill the vacancy at the next meeting following the notice of vacancy.

Attendance:

Members, parents and employees, are expected to attend meetings.

If a member cannot attend a meeting, they should notify the Chair or Principal prior to the meeting.

If a Hillcrest SCC member misses three consecutive meetings during a given school year they will be invited to a discussion with the Principal and Chair and may be asked to resign. The respective group (parent or employee) may appoint a replacement from the alternate members.

If no alternates are available to serve, and by vote it is determined that the seat needs to be filled, the SCC may seek out parents or school employees to be appointed.

Meetings:

The Hillcrest SCC will meet monthly with the exception of June, July and August. The majority of the council must approve of canceling and/or calling additional meetings. 

The council is in session at a meeting when a quorum is present and operates under the following:

• A quorum is defined as a majority of members with the stipulation that the majority must follow the legal composition of the council and have, at minimum, one more parent member than employee member present to vote.
• All meetings are open to the public.
• Each meeting will include a ten-minute public comment period . Guests may share appropriate input on subjects that fall under the SCC purview.
• The agenda for each upcoming meeting will be made available to all council members and the public at least one week in advance.
  • Items for consideration may be submitted to the SCC Chair or Principal at least ten calendar days before the scheduled meeting date.
  • Submitted items will be placed on the next meeting's agenda provided there is sufficient time available, or within two months.
• The SCC may invite any person/group to make a longer presentation on issues pertinent to the role of the sec.
• The SCC will not discuss personnel issues or individual student information.
• Minutes will be kept of all meetings and posted to the Hillcrest website.
• Meetings will follow these conduct guidelines:
  • Meetings will begin on time, use time wisely and finish on time, and stay focused on the agenda.
  • Members and guests will come prepared to participate and avoid side conversations during the meeting.
  • Respect for others in verbal and non-verbal communication will be shown at all times.
  • Avoid disruptions by silencing cell phones and taking necessary calls or conversations out of the room during meetings.
• Meetings shall be conducted and action taken according to simplified rules of parliamentary procedure.
  • An action proposed to be taken by the council is stated as a motion.
  • Such motions require a second by a council member who did not make the motion.
  • Discussion on the motion will be opened and members will be recognized by the chair as appropriate. When discussion appears to be complete the chair may call for a vote on the motion.
  • If a council member calls the previous question (a motion to end discussion), a second is required.
• A tie vote is deemed a lost vote .

Voting and Council Business:

A vote may be made on decisions when a quorum is present, constituting a majority of members and one more parent member than employee member present.

Through the use of e-mail communication, the SCC may take any action for which it has authority without convening a meeting. The consent to the action taken must be in writing, must set forth the action so taken, and must be approved by two-thirst of the membership of the SCC.

Hillcrest SCC Website:

The Hillcrest SCC will maintain a website with an SCC roster, agendas for upcoming meetings, and minutes from past meetings The agenda will be posted on the school website and in the school building one week prior to the meeting.

Amendments:

The Bylaws may be amended by the SCC. Written amendments must be submitted to all council members at least one week in advance of any vote taken to approve such amendments. Passage of amendments to the bylaws requires a majority (50%+ I) affirmative vote. The SCC will adhere to the state law if the bylaws and the state laws are incongruent.