Article I

Organization: The name of the organization will be the Kelly Mill Middle School Improvement Council (SIC).

Article II 

Purpose: The purpose of the Kelly Mill Middle School School Improvement Council will be to:

• Assist in the preparation, implementation, and evaluation of the comprehensive school improvement plan, as required by the Educational Improvement Act (EIA) 1984.
• Assist with the development and monitoring of school improvement and innovation.
• Develop an annual school report to the parents and constituents of the school on the school’s progress in meeting the school and district goals and objectives.
• Serve as a liaison between the school, staff, community, and the district two school boards by collecting and disseminating information about school improvement.
• Conduct an annual survey of sixth and seventh grade parents determining their satisfaction with the total educational experience at Kelly Mill Middle School. From that survey, assist school administrators in developing plans to address weaknesses and celebrate successes achieved during the school year. This survey will take place each March with results compiled with a summary of the findings and an action plan published by May 15^th.
• In conjunction with school administration adopt annually one project that enhances the student’s educational experience by preparing them for continuing education, employment, citizenship and/or healthy life styles. The success of this project will be measured by including at least one question in the annual parent survey.
• Provide other assistance that the principal may request as well as carrying out other duties prescribed by the District Two School Board. 
• The SIC will not have any of the powers and duties by law or regulation to the district two school board, district administrators, or school administrators.

 Article III 

Representation and membership: The Kelly Mill Middle School School Improvement Council will be composed of the following voting members:

• A minimum of six or maximum of 18 parents whose children attend Kelly Mill Middle School. The school SIC will be elected by the annual vote of parents.
• A minimum of two and a maximum of four Teachers elected by the facility who will serve a two-year term. Staff and appointed members shall not exceed one third of the composition of the SIC.
• Two representatives appointed by the principal. Appointed members will serve a two year term. They may be selected from community members, business partners, or parents with children attending the school.
• In the event of a vacancy on the board, the chairperson of the SIC shall appoint a replacement to complete the unexpired term.

Per the state directive at a minimum the elected members will represent two/thirds of the membership while appointed members will not exceed one/third.

Article IV

Election and Appointment Procedures: Elections will be held at the Kelly Mill Middle School during the September meeting, and new council members will assume duties immediately. Teacher representatives will be elected at the first scheduled faculty meeting in August of each year, and will assume duties immediately. The SIC committee members will elect or re-elect new officers at the September meeting annually. Per state law the SIC will be in place no later than October 15, of each school year. The incoming Chairperson will be elected in the spring for the next school year.

Nomination and elections procedures: Nomination applications for prospective representatives will be printed in the August/September newsletter. Those who wish to run will be asked to provide a brief biography and a statement of interest to the Kelly Mill Middle School Principal. These informational items will be disseminated through newsletters and other appropriate means to all Kelly Mill Middle School parents. Ballots will be provided. A ballot box will be supervised. All elections will take place at the September meeting. Ballots will be counted by a committee consisting of the principal, the previous year’s SIC Chairman if available, a Teachers representative and the current year’s PTO President, if available.  Those nominees with the highest number of votes will be deemed to have been elected to the SIC. The parent body will be notified of the winners of the elections through direct and written contact from the Principal and SIC Chairperson. Announcements will be made in the next published newsletter. Elected members will take their seat at the next scheduled meeting.

• A tie vote making necessary a run-off election will be expedited within seven days. Notice of the special election will be immediately prepared and sent home along with each student.
• Accurate voting records will be maintained for one year in the office of the principal or designee.
• The names and addresses of all council members will be forwarded to the school improvement council office (SICA) within 30 days following the elections. Changes in membership will be mailed to the SIC Office within 30 days of the changes.
• The names of all council members will be published in the school newsletter.
• A list of all scheduled meeting dates and times will be communicated to all members at the conclusion of the annual elections.

Article V

An excused absence will be granted if a member calls the SIC Chairperson prior to the absence from a meeting. If a member is absent without contacting the SIC Chairperson for two consecutive meetings, the chairperson shall contact the absent member requesting the members intention about remaining on the council.

Article VI

Tenure

Each term will consist of a minimum of two years with no limit on the amount of consecutive terms served. The council may appoint temporary committees composed of teachers, parents, business leaders, and other citizens to study specific issues and make recommendations to the council. Membership on the council may be terminated when members:

• No longer have a student enrolled in the Kelly Mill Middle School;
• No longer hold a teaching position at the school;
• Have missed three consecutive scheduled meetings without proper notice to the chairperson or principal;
• Or submit a letter of resignation to the chairperson or principal.

Article VII

Officers: The officers of Kelly Mill Middle School will consist of a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary. The Chairperson will be elected each spring for the subsequent year with the remainder of the officers elected at the first council meeting of each academic year.

Article VIII 

Duties of the officers: 

The chairperson will preside at all meetings and have general supervision of the activities of the council. The Chairperson will work with the principal in planning and directing the activities of the council, including monitoring committee progress. At least one week prior to each scheduled meeting, the chairperson will send out the past meeting minutes and the agenda for the upcoming meeting, appoint committees or task forces for special projects, be a representative of Kelly Mill Middle School at school board meetings when deemed necessary, represent Kelly Mill Middle School when discussing special needs with the superintendent, represent Kelly Mill Middle School to community organizations, business, etc., when necessary.

The Vice-Chairperson will take on the Chairpersons functions in the absence of the chairperson, and assist the chairperson as needed.

The Secretary will maintain the minutes, correspondence, and files. Taking of the minutes and correspondence may be rotated among the membership when necessary.

Removal of the officers: Any officer elected may be removed by a two-thirds vote of all members when the best interest of the council is served.

Article IX

Duties of members are to serve on district committees as requested.

Meetings:The council will meet at least six times a year at a place and time to be determined annually by the full council membership.  The principal or Chairperson may call special meetings as long as all council members are notified of the meeting at least 48 hours in advance.

The first council meeting of the academic year will be called in August.

Decisions: A simple majority of the council membership, consisting of fifty percent plus one of the total memberships with at least one parent and one teacher representative, should be present to make decisions. The council shall use the consensus method to make decisions and resolve problems. In the event that consensus cannot be reached, a majority vote will be necessary to advance an issue. Members must be present to vote.

Public Meetings: All council meetings are open to the public and representatives from the school district. Persons interested in presenting at council may request to be placed on the agenda no later than one week prior to the meeting date. A public participation time will be scheduled for each meeting.

Article X 

An orientation session will be held annually for all council members that include information about council roles, responsibilities, and function as well as information on school and local district policies and procedures. Council members also attend school improvement council training workshops sponsored by the district office, the professional development section of the state department of education, or school improvement council assistance (SICA). 

The principal will share information on school activities, successes, and concerns with council members on a regular basis.

Article XI

Communications: There shall be open communication among council members and the community. Suggestions or concerns may be voiced to council members, or submitted to the school.

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