student who will be enrolled at the school during the parent’s term of office; however, if the parent is also an educator employed at the school, the parent is not eligible to be a “parent or guardian” candidate or member of the council. The election for the parent and/members shall be held in the spring or in the fall, as determined by each school’s principal. However, once the election season has been determined, it must remain the same for at least four years before it can be changed. Spring elections for parent members shall be scheduled by the principal on a date or dates such that the election is completed before the last week of school. For spring elections, the school community council shall attempt to notify the parents of incoming students of the opportunity to run for the council and shall provide those parents with the opportunity to vote in the election. Fall elections for parent members shall be scheduled by the principal on a date or dates near the beginning of the school year. If a parent position on the council remains unfilled following an election or after appointment when no election is required, the other parent members of the council shall appoint a parent who meets the above qualifications to fill the position. Utah Code § 53G-7-1202 (2019) Term of Office Elected or appointed members of the council shall serve a two (2) year term beginning either the first day of the school year (for spring elections) or on November 1 (for fall elections). However, terms shall be staggered so that no more than approximately half of council members stand for election in any one year. A member’s term shall be extended as needed until his or her replacement’s term begins (for example, to avoid a gap that would result from a shift from one election season to the other). A school community council member may serve successive terms so long as the member continues to meet the eligibility requirements to be a parent member or an employee member. If a change to a statute or regulation affects the composition of the council, a council member who was elected or appointed before the change may complete the term to which she or he was elected. Utah Code § 53G-7-1202 (2019) Utah Admin. Rules R277-491-3(4) (December 10, 2018) Updating Council Membership By or before October 20 of each year, the principal shall enter the names of the council members on the state School LAND Trust Program website. Utah Code § 53G-7-1202(5)(g) (2019) Duties of Councils Each school community council shall advise and make recommendations to the school, school district administrators, and the local school board regarding the school and its programs, school district programs, and other issues relating to the community environment for students. School community councils shall report on plans, programs, and expenditures at least annually to the Board and shall cooperate with State Board of Education monitoring and audits. Councils may also advise and inform the Board and other members of the school community regarding the uses of School LAND Trust Program funds. They shall also encourage participation on the council and may recruit potential applicants to apply for open council positions. Councils shall establish clear written procedures which govern removal from office of members who move away or who
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker