School Council.

Constitution of Bowral Public School, School Council

1. NAME

1.1 The name of the School Council will be Bowral Public School, School Council. (Hereafter called “The Council”.)

2. DEFINITIONS

2.1 APPOINTED MEMBER means any person on the Council appointed as a community member.

2.2 BUDGET PLAN means a general outline of anticipated income and expenditure for the financial year,

2.3 CASUAL VACANCY is a vacancy arising through a resignation, death or inability to fulfil one’s obligations as a Council member.

2.4 COMMUNITY MEMBER means any person appointed to the Council from local government/business/industry or a particular section of the local community (which was previously unrepresented or underrepresented, through elected parent members).

2.5 CONSTITUENCY means the whole body of voters who are eligible to elect their representatives on Council.

2.6 CO-OPTED MEMBER means a member of the community who has been requested to assist Council for a specific purpose for a specific period of time.

2.7 COUNCIL means the Bowral Public School, School Council.

2.8 COUNCILLOR means an elected/appointed member, the Executive member of the Council or the President of the Bowral Public School Parents & Citizens Association (or the identified alternative executive member of the Bowral Public School Parents & Citizens Association).

2.9 ELECTED MEMBER means any person on the Council elected by the relevant constituency to represent the school staff or the parents.

2.10 EXECUTIVE MEMBER means the Principal of Bowral Public School.

2.11 EX-OFFICIO MEMBER means the Principal as Executive Member and the President of the Bowral Public School Parents and Citizens Association, or the identified alternative executive member of the Bowral Public School Parents and Citizens Association.

2.12 PARENT means a parent, guardian, care giver, or any person who has actual custody of a student enrolled at Bowral Public School.
2.13 PARENT COMMUNITY means all parents (as per definition 2.12) of pupils enrolled at Bowral Public School.

2.14 PARENT MEMBER means any parent elected to the Council as well as the President of Bowral Public School Parents and Citizens Association or the identified alternative executive member of the Bowral Primary School Parents and Citizens Association.

2.15 PARENT ORGANISATION/S means the Bowral Public School Parents and Citizens Association.

2.16 PUPIL means any child effectively enrolled at Bowral Public School.

2.17 QUORUM means the minimum number of persons required to attend a meeting before and business can be transacted.

2.18 SCHOOL COMMUNITY means the school staff, parents, pupils and local community of Bowral Public School.

2.19 SCHOOL STAFF means all persons permanently employed at Bowral Public School by the Department of Education and Training (teaching and non-teaching staff). This includes persons employed at the school under externally funded programs based at Bowral Public School.

2.20 STAFF MEMBER means any member of the School Staff elected to the Council.

2.21 SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICES means support provided to the school by parents and other members of the community to enrich the educational programs of the school.

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 AIM: To serve as a bridge between school and community with respect to decision-making and communication.

3.1 OBJECTIVES: The School Council will:

Determine broad school policies including aims, goals, educational

            needs and priorities of Bowral Public School, in accordance with
            current legislation and Department of Education and Training
            curriculum.

Encourage and promote community participation in the school.

Share in the selection of the Principal according to the guidelines.

Participate in the development of specific school policies. (List attached)
Participate in school financial planning.

Participate in needs assessment and policy development for school organisation, plant and equipment.

Advise the Regional Director as required.

Liaise and report to the local community and other schools with a view to increasing awareness and involvement of the school, and foster a positive image of the school in the local community.

4. ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COUNCIL

4.1 The School Council will operate within the context of the relevant legislation and the stated policies and priorities of the Government and the Department of Education and Training.

4.2 The School Council is accountable to the Regional Director, Illawarra and South East Region (ISER) Department of Education and Training.

4.3 The Principal remains accountable under the Public Finance and Audit Act for the management of school finances including, where appropriate, the negotiation of all contracts on behalf of the School Council.

4.4 The Principal is accountable to the ISER Regional Director and the total school community, for the total management of the school and for the implementation of the broad policies and priorities determined by the school.

4.5 Within the context of relevant legislation and the stated policies, priorities for expenditure and staff allocations of the government and the Department of Education and Training, the School Council will:

Have representation on the interviewing panel for the selection of the incoming Principal, when a vacancy to be filled by advertisement and interview, occurs.

Develop a profile of the position of Principal of the School for the consideration of the ISER Regional Director on the transfer or retirement of an incumbent Principal and the selection of a new Principal.

Determine the aims and educational goals of the School.

4.5.4 Identify local educational needs and priorities.

4.5.5 Determine the School’s Student Welfare policies and Fair Discipline
Code.

Determine the School’s Conduct and Dress Code including school uniform.

Determine the School’s broad budget priorities and develop a budget plan.

Advise the Principal on the implementation of the budget plan.

Examine reports on expenditure provided by the Principal at intervals determined by the Council.

Provide guidance for the Principal on supplementary services required by the School.

Determine the structure and the direction of the School Food Service Unit with the Bowral Public School Parents and Citizens Association.

Establish policies for community use of School facilities.

Assess the needs of the School from time to time in areas such as buildings, grounds, facilities, school transport, starting/finishing times and matters which could affect neighbouring schools.

Advise the ISER Director General and the Principal on these and other issues except those relating to the employment, appointment and efficiency of School staff: permanent, temporary or casual.

Establish effective liaison with other school/community committees to promote activities consistent with School policies.

Present and promote a positive image of the School in the local community, in order to increase parent and community awareness and willingness to become involved in the School.

Ensure that a wide range of opinions are canvassed and included in the discussion of issues relating to the School’s policies and directions.

Ensure that each member of the School Council reports to the group they represent.

Advise the School Community of matters requiring attention and issues referred to the Council with the exception of matters relating to the confidentiality of employment, appointment and efficiency of the School Staff.

Provide an annual report to the School Community on the activities of the School Council.

5. MEMBERSHIP AND COMPOSITION

5.1 The composition of the Council will be as follows:

5.1.1 The Principal as Executive Member

5.1.2 The President of the Bowral Public School Parents and Citizens Association (or the identified alternative executive member of the Bowral Public School Parents and Citizens Association.)

5.1.3 Three parent members who are members of the Bowral Public School Parents and Citizens Association, elected by the parent community.

5.1.4 A fourth parent member, who is elected as an alternate to parent members who are absent from Council Meetings or in the case of a casual vacancy.

5.1.5 Three school staff members elected from the teaching and non teaching staff, by the School Staff, with at least two of these members being teachers.

5.1.6 A fourth staff member, who is elected as an alternate to staff members who are absent from Council Meetings or in the case of a casual vacancy.

5.1.7 At least one and not more than two “Council Nominated” Community Members from local government, business, industry, or other relevant groups from the local community.

5.1.8 The total number of Councillors will be nine/ten plus two alternates/reserves.

5.2 Executive Members

5.2.1 The Principal of the School is automatically the Executive Officer.

5.3 President of Bowral Public School Parents and Citizens Association.

5.3.1 The President of the Bowral Public School Parents and Citizens
Association is automatically entitled to be a member of the School Council.

5.3.2 Where the President of the Bowral Public School Parents and Citizens Association declines to join the Council, The P&C is to identify another executive member for this position.

5.3.3 The President of the Bowral Primary School Parents and Citizens Association (or alternative executive member) is to provide a written report of each Council meeting to the P&C within thirty days of that meeting.

5.4 Elected Members

5.4.1 A member of the Bowral Public School staff may not be a parent member on the Council. At least one parent member must not be a teacher.

5.4.2 At least two school staff members must be teachers.

5.4.3 Elected members must provide a written report of each Council meeting to their constituency within thirty days of that meeting.

5.4.4 Any elected member representing the school staff or parents may be removed by the respective group following a Special Meeting of the relevant constituency called for that purpose.
(See Constitution Section 15.2)

5.5 Community Members

5.5.1 An appointed member may only be removed by the Regional Director. (See Constitution Section 15.3)

5.6 Co-opted Members

5.6.1 Council may co-opt other members of the community to assist the Council for a specific purpose and for a specific period.

5.6.2 Such positions are advisory and do not have voting rights on the Council.

5.7 Co-opted Members

5.7.1 A person who is a member of a School Council at another School cannot be a member of the Bowral Public School, School Council.

6. TENURE OF THE COUNCIL

6.1 The term of the office for elected/appointed members of the Council will be for two years, commencing the first meeting after the election of Councillors.
(The initial Council will be elected for a “staggered” tenure; the two members form each of the parent and staff constituencies having received the least votes will be elected for two years, the third and fourth/reserve members being elected for one year. One of the original two members will stand for two years and the other one. Subsequently tenures will be for a two year period.)

6.2 Elected/appointed Council members may hold office for no more than three terms of office consecutively, i.e. elected/appointed members may hold office for no more than six years consecutively.

6.3 Any member of the Council has the right to resign. Resignation is to be submitted in writing.

7. ELECTION OF COUNCILLORS
7.1 Elections for members to represent the School Staff and Parent Community will take place in Week 9, Term 3, annually.

7.2 Announcement of Council members representing the School Staff and the Parent Community will be made in Week 1 Term 4.

7.3 Method

7.3.1 Election for representatives of the School Staff and the Parent
         Community.

7.3.1.1 The Principal will arrange for the compilation of a list of eligible voters on each constituency before elections take place.

7.3.1.2 All members of the School Staff are eligible and entitled to vote for their representatives on the School Council.

7.3.1.3 All members of the School parent community are eligible and entitled to vote for their parent representatives on the School Council.

7.3.1.4 Election procedures will be advertised in the school newsletter, so that all school staff and the parent community have the opportunity to nominate and to vote for their particular representatives.

7.3.1.5 Nominations are to be submitted by the advertised closing date, in writing, on the form provide. Each nominee must be PROPOSED and SECONDED by members of the constituency she/he is to represent.
The nominee must sign the nomination form indicating a wiling ness to accept the nomination.

7.3.1.6 If more than the required number of candidates is nominated, the Principal will ensure that an election is conducted so that all members of the respective constituency have the opportunity to vote for their representatives.

7.3.1.7. The order of candidates’ names on the ballot paper will be determined by ballot.

7.3.1.8. Any election of school staff or parent representatives will take place by secret ballot, allowing at least five school days for the receipt of ballot papers.

7.3.1.9 Any election will be overseen by the ex-officio members of the Council.

7.3.1.10 The votes will be counted using the “Simple Preferential” system. All voters number their preferences 1 to x ( x being the number of candidates). The score for each candidate is added up. Those with the lowest scores win positions.

7.3.1.11 The results will be published in the school newsletter.

7.3.2 Community Member/s

7.3.2.1 The Regional Director will appoint the community member/s in accordance with advice from the Ex-officio and elected members of the School Council.

7.3.2.2 Appointed member/s will be confirmed after the first meeting of the newly constituted Council.

8. COUNCIL OFFICE BEARERS.

8.1 The School Council will have the following office bearers:

President: An elected parent member or the President of the Bowral Public
                       School Parents and Citizens Association or the identified
                       alternative executive officer of the Bowral Public School Parents
                       and Citizens Association.

Secretary: An elected member or an appointed community member.

Executive member: The Principal

8.2 Office bearers will be elected at the first meeting of the newly constituted Council which will be held within the six weeks of the election of Councillors. (See Constitution section 9.1.2.).

8.3 The President of the School Council may not be a member of the Bowral Public School staff, and neither can an appointed community member.

8.4 The Principal as Executive Member will assume the responsibilities normally associated with the position of Treasurer.

8.5 Office bearers have the power to co-opt assistance from time to time as approved by Council. Co-opted persons have no voting rights.

8.6 Roles and Responsibilities

8.6.1 President:

8.6.1.1 Chairs the meetings, with the option to stand down from the chair for a particular meeting or item.

8.6.1.2 Prepares, in conjunction with the Executive Member, the meeting agenda.

8.6.1.3 Convenes meetings according to the Constitution.

8.6.1.4 Representatives the School Council at the appropriate forums.

8.6.1.5 Liaises with the Executive Member with respect to the implementation of Council decisions.

8.6.1.6 Is responsible for the preparation of the Annual Report on the activities of the council to be presented at the meeting immediately prior to the annual election of the Councillors.

8.6.2 Secretary

8.6.2.1 Is responsible for preparing and circulating the minutes of each meeting within fourteen days of that meeting to all Councillors.

8.6.2.2 Is responsible for displaying copies of the minutes within the School premises.

8.6.2.3 Is responsible for circulating meeting times and places.

8.6.2.4 Is responsible for the preparation of correspondence.

8.6.2.5 Maintains the official records of the Council.

8.6.2.6 Prepares, in consultation with the President and the Executive member, items for inclusion in the School Newsletter to inform the school community of the Scholl Council’s decisions.

8.6.3 Executive Member:

8.6.3.1 Is responsible for the implementation of the broad policies and priorities determined by Council.

8.6.3.2 Is responsible for negotiating all contracts on behalf of the Council.

8.6.3.3 Is advisor to the Council on legislation, policies and priorities of the Government and the Department of Education and Training.

8.6.3.4 Is responsible, in consultation with the President, for the preparation of the meeting agenda.

8.6.3.5 Is responsible, in consultation with the President, for the preparation of General Financial Reports of the Council as required by the Council.

8.6.3.6 Is responsible, in consultation with the President, for the provision of financial advice as necessary to the Council.

8.6.3.7 Is responsible, in consultation with the Budget Committee, for the preparation of the Draft Budget Plan for consideration by the Council.
8.6.3.8 Is responsible for the presentation of the School’s Annual Financial Reports to the first Council meeting of each calendar year.

8.6.3.9 Is responsible for the transition from one Council to the next.

9. COUNCIL MEETINGS

All meetings are open to the school community.

9.1 Frequency

9.1.1 The Council will meet at least once per term.

9.1.2 The first meeting of the newly constituted Council will be held within six (6) weeks of the election of Councillors.

9.1.3 The date, venue and time of Council meetings will be decided by Council.

9.1.4 The dates, venues and times of Council meetings will be advertised in the School Newsletter fourteen (14) days in advance.

9.2 Quorum

9.2.1 A quorum for Council meetings will be seven (7) members of whom four (4) must be parent, community or P&C representatives.

9.2.2 If the quorum is not reached, matters on the Agenda may be discussed but no decisions will be taken.

9.3 Attendance

9.3.1 Councillors are expected to attend all meetings.

9.3.2 If a Councillor is unable to attend a meeting he/she must inform the Secretary, (either Council or School), as soon as possible.

9.3.3 Should an elected member fail to attend two (2) successive meetings without a good and fair reason that member’s seat will be deemed vacant.

9.3.4 Should an elected member resign or transfer out of the School Community, that member’s seat will be filled by the rules fro filling casual vacancies.

9.3.5 Should an appointed member fail to attend two (2) successive meetings without good and fair reason that member’s sea is deemed vacant.

9.3.6 In the absence of the President of the Council the meeting will elect a chair from among these present.
9.4 Agenda

9.4.1 The meeting’s Agenda will be circulated to members and advertised to the School Community at least five (5) days prior to the meeting.

9.4.2 Any member of the school community who wishes Council to debate a particular matter should advise the Secretary in writing at least seven (7) days prior to a Council meeting. The letter will be tabled at the next Council meeting and considered for referral to the relevant constituency/ies.

9.4.3 Items not on the agenda may be raised as general business. If urgent, they could be dealt with immediately, but if they need to be discussed, they will be placed on the next meeting’s agenda.

9.4.4 Persons attending Council meetings, who are not Council members or co-opted members, may not address Council.

9.5 Minutes

9.5.1 Minutes will be prepared by the Secretary and circulated to all Councillors within fourteen (14) days of the meeting.

9.5.2 Minutes of a meeting will be displayed within the School premises within fourteen (14) days of the meeting.

9.5.3 Minutes of all meetings will be kept at the School and be available for inspection on request to the school secretary.

10. COUNCIL MEETING PROCEDURES

10.1 Formal meeting procedures will apply.

10.2 Voting

10.2.1 Each member of Council will be entitled to one vote. Proxy votes will not be accepted.

10.2.2 Decisions will be taken by simple majority.

10.2.3 Co-opted members or visitors will not have voting rights.

10.2.4 The President’s vote shall always be exercised, if present.

10.2.5 Where voting is equal the status quo will be maintained, i.e. the motion will be defeated or deferred for future consideration.

10.3 Council may invite members of the school community to attend a Council meeting for a specific purpose. Such visitors have no voting rights and cannot introduce items of business at the meeting.

11. SPECIAL PROCEDURES

In the instance of one or more of the following matters

recommending amendments to the constitution
recommending the removal of an elected member
dissenting from a Council decision
recommending dissolution of the School Council

arising from:

Council meetings;
Meetings from one of the constituencies; or from
Letters sent to the Council from a member of one of the constituencies.

the following procedures will apply:

11.1 The Council will request in writing the relevant constituency or the constituencies to call a Special Meeting. Such a meeting should be held within fourteen (14) days of the request. A notice of motion should be circulated to the school community at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting date.

11.2 Recommendations arising from such meetings will be forwarded to Council and will be referred if necessary to the Regional Director by the President and the Executive Member.

12. COUNCIL RECORDS

Council records including the Constitution and all agenda, minutes, correspondence, files, financial reports and committee reports will be retained within the school at all times. Access to records is to be authorised by the President or Executive Member. Copies only to be held in other places.

13. BUDGET PLAN

13.1 The Council, in determining broad budget priorities and developing the school budget plan, will take account of all funds available to the school from government, parent and community sources. This budget plan will be developed in the context of the School Manual on Financial Management.

13.1.1. The Council will provide the opportunity for all members of the School Community to make their priorities known in the context of the educational aims of the school, the School’s organisation and the available resources before developing the budget plan.

13.1.2 The Bowral Public School Parents and Citizens Association is an autonomous body and funds raised by them can only be expended by a majority decision of the general meeting of that body.

14. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

Amendments to the constitution will only be considered at a Special Meeting of the constituencies called for that purpose (see Constitution section 11). All prop0sed amendments will be submitted through Council to the Regional Director for approval.

15. REPLACEMENT OF COUNCIL MEMBERS

15.1 When a casual vacancy for an elected Councillor occurs the position will be filled:

in the first instance by the fourth parent or staff member elected for this eventuality, and
in the second instance by the relevant constituency appointing a member until the next election, when the established election procedures will apply.

Where the former Councillor was an office bearer of the School Council that position will be filled by election, by the existing Council members at the first Council meeting after the vacancy occurs.

15.2 Any Council member who represents the school staff or the parents may only be removed by the respective group after a special meeting called for that purpose by that constituency.

The position will be filled

in the first instance by the fourth parent or staff member elected for this eventuality, and
in the second instance by the relevant constituency appointing a member until the next election, when the established election procedures will apply. (See Constitution Section 7.3.1)

15.3 An appointed member may only be removed by the Regional Director and replaced according to Constitution section 7.3.2.

If the School Council wishes to have an appointed member removed, a recommendation will be made in writing to the Regional Director for approval.

16. DISMISSAL OF THE SCHOOL COUNCIL

See Special Procedures Section 11.

16.1 Any recommendation to dismiss the School Council will be forwarded to the Regional Director for action.

16.2 If the Council is dismissed, a new Council will be formed in accordance with the established election procedures (see Constitution section 7.3.1)

16.3 Members of a dismissed are eligible for election to a new Council.

17. DISSOLUTION OF THE SCHOOL COUNCIL
See Special Procedures section 11.

17.1 Any recommendation to dissolve the School Council will be forwarded to the Regional Director for action.

18. RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES

18.1 Where matters occur which cannot be resolved by established Council procedures the Regional Director shall resolve the matter in dispute.

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