MELROSE AVENUE SCHOOL

COMPENSATORY EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL (CEAC)
Bylaws

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be the Melrose Ave. School Compensatory Education Advisory Council (CEAC).

Article II – Purpose

The purpose of this Council shall be to:

(a) Plan and implement meetings for parents of children in the Title 1 Program.

(b) Explain the programs and activities funded at the school by the Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994. Title 1.

(c) Participate in the planning, implementation, evaluation, and review of the school’s educational plan for compensatory education.

(d) Provide advice and make recommendations to the school regarding programs that meet the needs of educationally deprived children.

(e) Encourage the school community to support the instructional programs that will improve Title 1 students’ achievement in reading, mathematics, language, science, and history.

Article III – Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of the CEAC shall include, but not be limited to the following:

(a) Conduct monthly meetings with an established agenda.

(b) Review and/or rewrite By-laws.

(c) Assist in developing a needs assessment.

(d) Assist with efforts to help parents become aware of the importance of regular school attendance.

(e) Assist with the planning and implementation of parent training to comply with the council’s responsibilities to support the instructional program.

(f) Provide communications among the local school, the district, and the District level committees.

(g) Propose budgetary recommendations for all services provided to Title 1 students.

(h) Participate in the planning, the implementation and in the evaluation of the Title 1 program objectives and activities.

(i) Support other parents, teachers, students, and community members by actively participating in the school’s Title 1 program.

(j) Inform and advise the local school regarding community conditions, aspirations, and goals.

Article IV – Membership

Section A – Composition of Council and Mode of Selection.

1. Parent/guardian representatives who have children at the school must comprise at least 51% of the membership.

(a) Parent/guardian representatives are elected to the Council by the parent/guardians of the children who are participants in the school’s compensatory education program.

(b) Parent/guardian representatives may be LAUSD employees.

2. Non-parent members shall constitute 49% or less of the combined CEAC membership.

(a) If a teacher is represented on the Council, then that teacher representative is elected by a majority vote of the certified staff.

(b) If a classified employee is represented on the Council, then that classified employee is elected by a majority vote of the certified staff.

(c) Community members that are not part of the school staff, must be approved and elected by the parents of Title 1 students.

A community member is defined as an adult who is neither a Title 1 parent, a member of the faculty, administration, nor a classified staff person of the school with which the Council is affiliated, or any community member that is interested in the welfare of children at Melrose Ave. School.

1. A non-parent member is defined as an adult who is neither Title 1 parent, a member of the faculty, administration, nor a classified staff person of the school with which the Council is affiliated.

(d) A “prospective” member from any category shall be nominated for membership or may self-nominate for membership.

(e) The Principal is automatically a member with non-voting status.

(f) The combined membership of persons mentioned in Article IV. Section A – Item number 2 inclusive, must not exceed 49% of the CEAC.

(g) Membership on the Council is not transferable or assignable.

Section B – Tenure of Membership

1. The parent/guardian members (the 51% membership) shall be elected for a one year term.

2. All other members (the 49% membership), shall serve for a one year term.

Section C – Voting Rights

1. All elected members of the CEAC have equal voting rights.

2. Each elected member shall be entitled to one vote and may cast that vote on each matter submitted to a vote.

3. Proxy voting and absentee ballots are not permitted.

Section D- Election of Membership

1. The election for parents/guardians, community, and non-parent members for each current school year, shall take place at an open general meeting by the month of October.

2. Notice of the orientation and election meetings shall be sent to all parents/guardians, community, and non-parent persons.

3. The election shall be publicized at least ten working days prior to the election.

4. The elected members from the 49% component shall be seated with full voting rights at all Council meetings.

Section E – Termination of Membership

1. Membership shall be automatically terminated when any member is absent from three consecutive regularly scheduled meetings without an excuse.

2. The member will be notified of his/her irregular attendance at least five (5) to ten (10) days before the meeting where action of terminations will take place.

3. Any member may be removed from the membership on the Council by a majority vote of the membership with a quorum, at a duly notified meeting.

Section F – Vacancy

1. Any vacancy on the Council may be filled for the remainder of the term by the suggested opinions.

(a) Elect an alternate at a general meeting.

(b) Hold a special election.

(c) Recommendation of a new member by an established member and the approval of majority vote of the membership.

(d) Appointment by the chairperson with the approval of a majority vote of the membership.

Article V – Officers

Section A – Election Procedure:

1. The officers of the Melrose Elementary School Compensatory Education Advisory Council (CEAC) shall consist of the chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, and assistant secretary.

2. Officers shall be elected by the Council members only after the Council has been fully constituted.

3. All duly elected council members are eligible to be elected to any office.

4. Before all officers shall be elected democratically, a quorum must have been established.

5. All officers must be elected by a simple majority [50% plus 1(one)]

Section B – Guidelines for officers

1. The officers of the CEAC shall serve a one-year term.

2. The candidates for the election must be present at the election.

3. An officer can be removed from office by a simple majority vote of the quorum.

4. A vacancy in any office may be filled by appointment by the Chairperson and ratification by simple majority vote of the quorum.

5. The parliamentarian, if needed, may be appointed by the Chairperson.

Article VI – Duties of Officers:

Section A – Chairperson Shall

1. Preside at all meetings of the Council

2. Be fair and impartial.

3. Plan agendas for meetings with the assistance of other officers, the coordinator, and the principal designee.

4. Be an ex-officio member of all the committees.

5. Form necessary committees and appoint committee chairpersons.

6. Involve and inform the Council concerning all school Compensatory Education transaction and activities.

Section B – Vice Chairperson Shall:

1. Assist the Chairperson in all his/her duties.

2. Perform the duties of the Chairperson in his/her absence.

3. Contact school to update meeting notices.

Section C – Secretary Shall:

1. Keep and up-to-date Council membership roster.

2. Prepare, read, and file accurate minutes for all Council meetings.

3. File agendas for Council meetings.

4. Call members as needed and communicate with members as needed.

Section D – Assistant Secretary Shall

1. Assist the Secretary in all duties.

2. Perform the duties of the secretary in his/her absence.

Section E – Parliamentarian Shall:

1. Assist the Chairperson in the orderly conduct of meetings by serving as procedural advisor.

2. Be willing to acquire knowledge of parliamentary procedure, Council by-laws, and Robert’s Rule of Order.

Article VII – Representative Alternate

Section A – Election

1. A representative and an alternate to the District Compensatory Education Advisory Council shall be elected by a simple majority vote of the quorum.

2. The Chairperson may serve as the District representative by a simple majority vote of the quorum.

3. The representative and alternate may be any member of the CEAC.

Section B – Duties

Attend monthly local District meetings and give an oral report to the local CEAC.

Attend parent in-service training and activities at the Local District and Central District level.

Article VIII – Meetings

1. A minimum of eight (8) regular meetings shall be held during the school year.

2. The date, time, and place for the meetings shall be decided by the Council.

3. Special meetings may be called by the Council chairperson or by a simple majority vote of the Council members.

4. Notification of all regular and special meetings shall be duly publicized not less than five (5) days prior to the meeting. A ten (10) day notification is preferable.

5. All regular and special meetings shall be open to the public.

6. A quorum shall consist of 51% of the elected council membership.

Article IX – Interruptions.

1. If a meeting is willfully interrupted, the Chairperson may order the meeting room cleared and may continue the session.

Article X – Amendment

1. The by-laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the council by a majority vote.

2. A copy of the proposed amendment shall be publicized to all the members at least five (5) days prior to the proposed action.

Article XI – Ratification

1. The by-laws shall be declared adopted when passed by a simple majority of the Council.

Article XI

2. Local School by-laws must be aligned with the DCEAC by-laws. Melrose School has the option of adding their own by-laws as deemed necessary, but said by-laws should not be in conflict with the District by-laws.

3. The final draft produced by the CEAC Review/Writing By-laws Committee shall be presented to the entire membership during the monthly meeting to review and obtain recommendations to approve them at the next monthly meeting.





MELROSE AVENUE SCHOOL CEAC BYLAWS




May 21, 2003 June 11, 2003
Date of Draft Presentation Date of Adoption




School Principal CEAC Chairperson


List of members of the CEAC Review/Writing By-laws Committee


Regina Goldman, Principal

Jacqueline Calhoun, Parent

Stella Voce, Parent, CEAC Chairperson

Elda Gonzalez, Parent, ELLAC Chairperson

Karin Newlin, ULC Field Director

Marcia Garcia, Parent

Toni Magee, ULC Learning Supports




Legal Compliance Reference

- Public Law 103-382 Improving America’s Schools Act (LASA Title 1) October 20, 1994
- Federal Register (LASA), May 1, 1995.
- Assembly Bill 283, May 17, 1982.
- Board Rule 1370, Office of the Associate Superintendent Business and Personnel Services. 4-16-90.
- Advisory Committees and School Site Council bulletin FT-1, Office of the Deputy Superintendent.