The purpose of the Springer School Site Council is to advise and assist the school staff in the development, implementation and evaluation of educational programs which will serve to improve the quality of education of students at the school and aid in the integration of the school and the children into the community. (Article II - Bylaws)

The Springer Site Council is made up of staff and parents and usually meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the Springer Library from 5:45-6:45pm.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our meetings. All are welcome!!

The name of the Council shall be the Springer School Site Council.

The general purpose of the Springer School Site Council is to advise and assist the school staff in the development, implementation and evaluation of educational programs as directed by AB65 which will serve to improve the quality of education of students at Springer School and aid in the integration of the school and the children into the community.

A. All actions of the Springer School Site Council shall be consistent with the Los Altos School District Board of Education, the California State Education Code and the Administrative Code.

B. The Springer School Site Council members shall not direct, prescribe or dictate any professional staff member's teaching methods or materials. The Springer School Site Council members shall not become involved in the process or procedures relative to the professional evaluation of any individual school staff member.

A. Understanding Policies and Programs

The Springer School Site Council shall become knowledgeable of:

1. State and school district policies and guidelines which affect the existing School Improvement Program at Springer School;

2. Federal, state and school district policies and guidelines which affect any other existing or proposed specially funded programs at Springer School; and

3. All existing programs and restraints at Springer School.

B. Program Development For Springer Students

The Springer School Site Council shall advise and assist the school staff in developing:

1. Educational program priorities for Springer School students;

2. Goals and objectives of the Springer School Improvement Program;

3. Specific programs to meet the identified needs of students at Springer School.

4. Activities or programs which may improve the existing educational program at Springer School.

5. Processes for determining and communicating the student expectations of the junior high schools to which Springer students will go.

C. Communications

The Springer School Site Council shall advise and assist the school staff in developing:

1. Two-way communication between Springer School and the parents of students at Springer, other interested individuals in the community, community agencies, and the Board of Education of the Los Altos School District.

2. Improved communication among the students at Springer and the students at the Junior High Schools which Springer students will attend.

3. Programs and activities which will promote parent participation in the educational programs of Springer.

4. Means for allowing interested school and community members to present ideas and suggestions for the improvement of educational programs at Springer School.

D. Resource Development

The Springer School Site Council shall advise and assist the school staff in:

1. Identifying and using the human, physical, and financial resources of the school and community to meet the goals and objectives of the educational program at Springer.

2. Developing a resource bank or directory of parent ad other community resources which can be used to improve the educational program at Springer.

3. Developing specialized training programs for Council members, parents, and members of the local school staff.

4. Recruiting and selecting school staff members, both salaried and volunteers, to carry out programs at Springer School.

E. Program Evaluation and Reporting

The Springer School Site Council shall advise and assist the school staff in developing:

1. Procedures for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the educational programs at Springer and particularly the School Improvement Program.

2. Procedures for presenting parents with information concerning testing and the continuum of the instructional program at Springer.

3. Procedures for reporting on the effectiveness of all educational programs at Springer to the Council, the parents and other interested groups as well as the Board of Education of the Los Altos Elementary School District.

F. Program Budget

The Springer School Site Council shall advise and assist the school staff in:

1. Developing new funding proposals for the maintenance, elimination, or expansion of the educational programs at Springer School.

2. Developing a budget for the educational programs at Springer School.

3. Finding appropriate funding sources for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the educational programs at Springer School.

4. Becoming knowledgeable of the funding requirement and restraints of the educational programs at Springer School.

A. Membership

Membership of the council shall be made available to any individual who subscribes to its objects and basic policies.

B. Deciding Issues

1. Eight staff members and eight parents will have voting privileges.

2. The eight voting members from the staff shall include the Principal of Springer School, the SIP coordinator, four teachers, and other members of staff. Four will be elected to a two year term by the staff of Springer School each September.

3. The eight voting members from the parents shall include at least three with children in the lower grades and three with children in the upper grades. Four will be elected by Springer parents each April for a two year term. All those parents interested in being voting members of the SSC will be invited in April, by means of a notice in the Springer Star, to submit their names to the SSC coordinator. When more than four people respond, a meeting will be held before the May SSC meeting at which time voting members will be elected by consensus. A list of candidates and a ballot form will be published in the Springer Star before the May SSC meeting if a consensus is not possible.

4. Voting members may designate alternates from the membership.

5. If a voting member misses two consecutive meetings without designating an alternate, he or she will lose voting privileges and be replaced by an alternate.

6. Eleven members shall constitute a quorum.

7. Issues considered by the SSC shall be decided at regular meetings by a consensus whenever possible. If a vote is needed, a majority of a quorum, at a regular meeting shall be required to decide the issue.

C. Meetings

1. The Springer SSC shall meet at least five times a year as decided at the first meeting of the school year. All meetings shall be publicized and open to the public.

2. Voting members will be announced, and officers elected, at the May meeting.

D. Officers

1. The officers of this council shall be Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary. These officers shall be elected annually.

2. Nominations for office shall be made by a nominating committee, which shall be organized by the Vice-Chairperson and elected by the Council at least two months prior to the May meeting. The committee shall serve until the May meeting.

3. The nominating committee shall be composed of two representatives from the staff and two representatives from the parents. The committee shall elect its own chairperson.

4. The report of the nominating committee shall be submitted to the council at the May meeting. Additional nominations may then be made from the floor.

5. Only those people who are eligible and who have signified their consent to serve, if elected, shall be nominated for, or elected to, office.

6. Officers shall serve for a term of one year. No officer shall be eligible for the same office for more than two consecutive terms. Officers shall assume their duties on July 1. A person who has served in an office for more than six months of a full term shall be deemed to have served a full term in such an office.

7. A vacancy occurring in any office shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by the council, notice of such an election having been given. In case a vacancy occurs in the office of chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson shall give notice of the election.

8. If an office remains unfilled after election, it shall be considered a vacant office to be filled by the council-elect.

E. Duties of Officers

The Chairperson shall:

1. Coordinate the work of officers and the Council in order that the objects may be promoted.

2. Preside at all meetings of the Council.

3. Be a member ex officio of all committees except the nominating committee.

4. Prepare and distribute meeting agendas.

5. Meet regularly with the Principal.

6. Attend District SSC Chairperson meetings.

The Vice-Chairperson shall:

1. Act as an aide to the Chairperson.

2. Perform the duties of the Chairperson in the absence or inability of that officer to act.

3. Organize the nominating committee.

3. The Secretary shall:

1. Keep an accurate record of all meetings of the Council.

2. Be prepared to refer to minutes of previous meetings.

3. Prepare a list of unfinished business for the Chairperson.

4. Keep a current copy of the bylaws and standing rules.

5. Distribute minutes of the meetings to voting members and other meeting attendees.

6. Summarize meetings in the Springer Star.

F. Committees

The Council or the Chairperson may establish or eliminate such committees, as it deems necessary. The membership of the committees is not limited to Council members.

G. Amendments

These bylaws may be amended or changed at any regular meeting of the Council by consensus or, if needed by vote of a majority of all voting members of the Council.