St. Albert of Jerusalem School

School Council By-laws

1. Elections shall occur within the first thirty days of the start of each school year.

2. Each parent/guardian seeking election must be nominated or self-nominated in writing, must have a child registered at the school, and must declare if he or she is employed by the school board.

3. Each parent/guardian of a student enrolled in the school shall be entitled to one vote.

4. Only the names of the successful candidates will be made public. A list of candidates and the vote results will be kept on file by the principal for use in the event that a vacancy on the council occurs.

5. All individuals standing for election shall be notified of the results before the results are released to the school community.

6. In any given year, the term of office for all school council positions is one council year. A person may be re-elected/acclaimed to their position for no more than two consecutive council years but may sit on coouncil for an unlimited time, provided thay have a child registered atthe school.  Should no one come forward for a particular position, a special request for one additional term, beyond the two consecutive council years may be made.

7. Maximum number of parents on council - 12.

8. If less than 12 parents are acclaimed to council, then at the next council meeting, the floor will be open for any parent at that time to ask to be acclaimed to council to the maximum allowed of 12.

9. A newsletter is to be sent home in June, including a mailing to all registered (for upcoming September) JK parents, explaining the role of council and how nominations and elections are conducted. Timelines will also be included in the newsletter. Another newsletter with the same information will go out again in September.

10. The Principal is responsible for all election proceedings.

11. Elections for council members, if needed, will be held on the same day as Curriculum Night, provided that there is a week's notice to the parents in the community.

12. An in-service, involving out-going council and in-coming council shall take place within two weeks of Curriculum Night. This inservice is to help facilitate transition between former and new councils.

13. Funds from the Board that are specifically given for professional development shall be set aside to pay for the in-service.

14. The in-service may take place off school property, preferably at St. John of the Cross Parish or other local retreat centre.

15. At the in-service, the incoming council shall set tentative dates, times and locations for the meetings throughout the year and hold executive elections for the positions of chair, treasurer, secretary, and vice chair. If any of the positions of chair, treasurer, secretary or fundraising chair are not filled, then the voting may be re-opened at any of the following council meetings.  A position of past chair is also filled at the in-service. The past chair position is not elected but automatically filled by the previous year's chair.
16.  The first general council meeting shall take place within two weeks of the in-service.

17. Each council member, including the chair, is entitled to one vote.

18. In time-sensitive situations and with the approval of the principal e-mail voting is permitted.

For the purpose of this bylaw, wherever the words council     member(s) or member(s) is used this shall also include committee member(s).

1. A conflict of interest may be actual, perceived or potential.

2. Members of the council shall declare a conflict of interest in matters that they, members of their families, or business entities in which they may have an interest, stand to benefit either directly or indirectly by decisions of the council.

3. A member shall exclude him or herself from discussions in which:

   * a conflict of interest is likely to result;

   * the member's ability to carry out his or her duties and responsibilities as a member of the school council may be jeopardized;

   * the council member, his or her relatives, or a business entity in which the member may have an interest, may gain or benefit either directly or indirectly as a result of actions that may be taken by the principal or board in response to advice that the council provides to the principal or to the board.

4. A member shall not accept favours or economic benefits from any individuals, organizations, or entities know to be seeking business contracts with the school.

5. If all attempts at discussing a conflict of interest have been exhausted without success, the chairperson and/or person shall request the intervention of a superintendent or other senior administrator to facilitate a resolution to the situation.

For the purpose of this bylaw, wherever the words council member(s) or member(s) is used this shall also include committee member(s)

1. Council members are elected to serve the school community and will demonstrate respect for their colleagues on council at all times.
2. If a council member or members become disruptive during a meeting, the chair must ask for order.
3. If all efforts to restore order fail or the unbecoming behaviour continues, the chairperson may direct the individual council member(s) to leave the meeting, citing the reasons for the request.
4. The removal of a member for one meeting does not prevent the council member from participating in future meetings of the council.
5. The incident shall be recorded and submitted to the Superintendent of Schools within one week of the meeting.
6. When the chairperson has requested the removal of a member or members from a meeting, the chairperson shall request that the disputing members of council participate in a special meeting, the purpose of which will be to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution to the dispute. Such a meeting may be held in private, and shall not be construed as a meeting of the council.
7. The chair may request the intervention of an independent third party to assist in achieving a resolution to the dispute.
8. An independent third party may be a board official or another individual mutually agreed on by the parties involved in the dispute.
9. Any solution reached at the meeting to resolve the conflict shall be signed and respected in full by all parties to the agreement.

Accounting Bylaws

1. A minimum of two persons are to be in attendance when monies are counted. All monies are to be counted on school premises.
2. One "counter" will be a member of the committee who raised or collected the funds. (fundraising, pizza day committee, business partnership, etc.)
3. Only School Council members or a committee member, when designated by the treasurer are authorized to physically deposit funds at the bank.
4. A verification sheet shall be used every time monies are counted. The sheet must be signed by two people.
5. Approved funds must be spent by September 30 of the following school year as per school board policy.
6. Signing officers shall be the principal and designated school staff.
7. Cheques will be issued and invoices paid through cheque requisitions (and attached receipts) approved by the school council chair and/or treasurer and the principal.
8. All financial reports willbe stored at the school.