Constitution and By-Laws for

Guardian Angels Elementary School Parish School Committee

ARTICLE I
 NAME

The name of this body shall be the Guardian Angels Parish School Committee.

ARTICLE II
 NATURE AND FUNCTION
SECTION A:
The Guardian Angels School Committee, as an advisory committee, seeks to be an avenue of communication among parents, students, and administration. It will counsel, confer with and support our pastor and school administrator and consistently foster the positive response that will help promote the excellence in education we are all striving for. It will endeavor to develop and define policies which govern the operation of the school subject to such regulations that might proceed from the Archdiocesan School Office.

SECTION B:
The School Committee is established as a support group for the administration of the school. The Committee gives an added christian dimension to the existing parish structure in that it represents parents and other parties interested in the success of the school program.

Responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to the following areas:
  1. To assist in developing policy is the primary role of the School Committee, relating to personnel and financial management.
  2. To review and support items of income and expense in regard to the school budget.
  3. To make recommendations in the hiring of the Principal in accordance with Archdiocesan School Policies.
  4. To help discern the educational needs of the school.
  5. To provide the necessary resources to implement objectives and policies, e.g. professional staff.
  6. To establish committees on a standing or ad hoc basis according to need.
  7. To advocate the work of Catholic Education and Catholic Faith.

SECTION C:
The Guardian Angels Parish School Committee is a standing committee of the Parish Education Commission and is responsible to inform the Education Commission of Committee proceedings. The Commission is an advisory or consultative group. This function is to recommend general policies, where feasible. The administrator is responsible for determining and the putting these policies into specific actions.

ARTICLE III
 MEMBERSHIP
SECTION A:
  1. Ex-officio members include the Pastor and Administrator of the school.
  2. Membership includes nine (9) members.

SECTION B:
  1. Any candidate seeking selection shall be 21 years of age or older and be a registered member of Guardian Angels Parish, or a parent of a registered student.
  2. Candidates must have a genuine interest in promoting Catholic Education.
  3. Term of office for selected members is ordinarily for three years except for the initial members who are chosen for one, two, and three year terms. A second term of three years is permitted for members. A third consecutive term is not permitted.
  4. Selections shall take place in May.
  5. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the Pastor and Administrator of the school with the approval by the Committee.
  6. The Committee may terminate the membership of a member if the member is absent from three consecutive meetings without cause.

ARTICLE IV
 OFFICERS
SECTION A:
There will be three officers: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary. This will be known as the executive committee.

SECTION B:
Officers are elected for a one (1) year term by the members of the Committee at the first meeting after the selection of members.

SECTION B-1:
Election of officers shall take place in the following manner: The nominee receiving the highest number of votes shall be Chairperson. The nominee receiving the second highest number of votes shall be Vice-Chairperson, A second ballot shall be cast to elect the secretary.

SECTION C:
Function of Officers:
Chairperson:
Presides over all meetings. Prepares agenda with Administration.
Vice-Chairperson:
Performs duties of the Chairperson when the Chairperson is absent or unable to act.
Secretary:
Maintains a written record of all meetings. Conducts official correspondence on behalf of the Committee. Is responsible to see that each Committee member receives a copy of the minutes. A permanent record will be maintained in the school office.

SECTION C-1:
Education Commission Representative:
Will be selected from the Committee, and will attend monthly Education Commission meetings as a representative of the School Committee.

ARTICLE V
 MEETINGS
SECTION A:
The Guardian Angels Parish School Committee shall meet regularly on the school premises once a month during the school year. Special meetings of the School Committee may be call by the School Administrator or the Chairperson of the School Committee. At least a 48 hour notice should be given. Unless, otherwise announced, all meetings shall be open meetings, but not an open forum.

SECTION B:
At least 5 (five) members must be present for an official meeting (quorum).

SECTION C:
Executive committee meets in closed session when arises. What happens in executive session is privileged and private information that must not be carried to others outside the Guardian Angels Parish School Committee.

SECTION D:
The right of anyone to address the Guardian Angels Parish School Committee shall be limited to those whose petitions are on the agenda. Items may be put in writing to the Chairperson or Administration at least 48 hours before the meeting.

SECTION E:
Members are invested with authority only when meeting as a School Committee, that is with Administration and/or Pastor being present and convened on school premises.

SECTION F:
Installation of new members shall take place at the first meeting after the Selection.


ARTICLE VI
 CONDUCT OF MEETINGS
SECTION A:
The rules of Parliamentary procedures as contained in Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern meetings of the Committee.


ARTICLE VII
 AMENDMENTS
SECTION A:
Amendments must be presented in writing to the Committee at least one week prior to the regular meeting. Consensus on the amendment would not take place before the next meeting.

SECTION B:
At least seven members of the Committee are needed to amend the Constitution provided the amendment has been approved at a previous meeting.


APPENDIX

Below is listed the procedure by which a parent/guardian may take issue with the Guardian Angels Parish School Committee:

  1. Presentation of the issue should last no longer than ten minutes.
  2. Initially, issue should be directed to the lowest level. (Teacher, Principal, then School Committee.)
  3. The School Committee should listen intently to the issue and ask questions to clarify parents/guardian’s position.
  4. A discussion/debate with parent/guardian should not be held.
  5. After listening to the issue, the School Committee gives recommendations to the Principal. The Principal then makes a decision, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Committee.
  6. Written response is given within five (5) days of presentation and signed by the Chairperson.
  7. Further appeal can be brought before the Pastor and then finally before the Archdiocese, if applicable. Under Section #2450 of the Archdiocese of Detroit School Policy Book, if a complaint is not resolved at the school or parish level, it can be formalized as a grievance and appealed to the Archdiocese. A grievance, however, is defined as a major wrong or injustice "affecting employment of the employee or enrollment of the student". Even though a person may appeal a local decision to the Archdiocese, the Archdiocese would not formally hear the matter if it did not affect employment of enrollment.

 

 

 

 

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Chairperson of the Guardian Angels Parish School Committee       Date