Download Zipped Introduced WordPerfect HB0127S02.ZIP
[Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

Second Substitute H.B. 127

Representative Kenneth W. Sumsion proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
COMMUNITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS

             2     
2008 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Kenneth W. Sumsion

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Margaret Dayton

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies the Utah Strategic Planning Act for Educational Excellence by
             10      amending provisions for the election of members of school community councils.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    adds provisions for conducting elections of members of school community councils
             14      by secret ballot;
             15          .    requires the principal of the school, or the principal's designee, to provide notice of
             16      the election and the available community council positions at least 14 days before
             17      the date of the election;
             18          .    provides that the principal of the school, or the principal's designee, oversee the
             19      election for parent or guardian members of the council;
             20          .    requires that ballots for parent or guardian members be deposited in a secure ballot
             21      box; and
             22          .    makes technical changes.
             23      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             24          None
             25      Other Special Clauses:


             26          None
             27      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             28      AMENDS:
             29          53A-1a-108, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 119
             30     
             31      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             32          Section 1. Section 53A-1a-108 is amended to read:
             33           53A-1a-108. School community councils authorized -- Duties -- Composition --
             34      Election procedures and selection of members.
             35          (1) As used in this section:
             36          (a) (i) "Parent or guardian member" means a member of a school community council
             37      who is a parent or guardian of a student who is attending the school or who will be enrolled at
             38      the school at any time during the parent's or guardian's initial term of office.
             39          (ii) "Parent or guardian member" may not include a person who meets the definition of
             40      a school employee member unless the person's employment at the school does not exceed an
             41      average of six hours per week.
             42          (b) "School employee member" means a member of a school community council who
             43      is a person employed at a school by the school or school district, including the principal.
             44          (2) Each public school, in consultation with its local school board, shall establish a
             45      school community council at the school building level.
             46          (3) (a) Each school community council shall:
             47          (i) develop a school improvement plan in accordance with Section 53A-1a-108.5 ;
             48          (ii) develop the School LAND Trust Program in accordance with Section
             49      53A-16-101.5 ;
             50          (iii) assist in the development and implementation of a staff professional development
             51      plan as provided by Section 53A-3-701 ;
             52          (iv) develop a child access routing plan in accordance with Section 53A-3-402 ; and
             53          (v) advise and make recommendations to school and school district administrators and
             54      the local school board regarding the school and its programs, school district programs, and
             55      other issues relating to the community environment for students.
             56          (b) In addition to the duties specified in Subsection (3)(a), a school community council


             57      for an elementary school shall develop a reading achievement plan in accordance with Section
             58      53A-1-606.5 .
             59          (4) (a) Each school community council shall consist of school employee members and
             60      parent or guardian members in accordance with this section.
             61          (b) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(c):
             62          (i) each school community council for a high school shall have six parent or guardian
             63      members and five school employee members, including the principal; and
             64          (ii) each school community council for a school other than a high school shall have
             65      four parent or guardian members and three school employee members, including the principal.
             66          (c) (i) A school community council may have a larger membership provided that the
             67      number of parent or guardian members exceeds the number of school employee members.
             68          (ii) A school community council may have a smaller membership provided that:
             69          (A) the number of parent or guardian members exceeds the number of school employee
             70      members; and
             71          (B) there are at least two school employee members on the school community council.
             72          (5) (a) Each school employee member, except the principal, shall be elected by secret
             73      ballot by a majority vote of the school employees and [serves] serve a two-year term beginning
             74      July 1. The principal shall serve as an ex officio member with full voting privileges.
             75          (b) (i) Each parent or guardian member shall be elected by secret ballot at an election
             76      held at the school by a majority vote of those voting at the election and [serves] serve a
             77      two-year term beginning July 1.
             78          (ii) Only parents or guardians of students attending the school may vote at the election
             79      under Subsection (5)(b)(i).
             80          (iii) Any parent or guardian of a student who meets the qualifications of this section
             81      may file or declare himself as a candidate for election to a school community council.
             82          [(c) Written notice of the elections held under Subsections (5)(a) and (5)(b) shall be
             83      given at least two weeks prior to the elections.]
             84          (c) (i) The principal of the school, or the principal's designee, shall provide notice of
             85      the available community council positions to school employees, parents, and guardians at least
             86      14 days before the date that voting commences for the elections held under Subsections (5)(a)
             87      and (5)(b).


             88          (ii) The notice shall include:
             89          (A) the dates and times of the elections;
             90          (B) a list of council positions that are up for election; and
             91          (C) instructions for becoming a candidate for a community council position.
             92          (iii) The principal of the school, or the principal's designee, shall oversee the elections
             93      held under Subsections (5)(a) and (5)(b).
             94          (iv) Ballots cast in an election held under Subsection (5)(b) shall be deposited in a
             95      secure ballot box;
             96          (d) Results of the elections held under Subsections (5)(a) and (5)(b) shall be made
             97      available to the public upon request.
             98          (e) (i) If a parent or guardian position on a school community council remains unfilled
             99      after an election is held, the other parent or guardian members of the council shall appoint a
             100      parent or guardian who meets the qualifications of this section to fill the position.
             101          (ii) If a school employee position on a school community council remains unfilled after
             102      an election is held, the other school employee members of the council shall appoint a school
             103      employee to fill the position.
             104          (iii) The chair of the community council shall notify the local school board of each
             105      appointment made [pursuant to] under Subsection (5)(e)(i) or (ii).
             106          (iv) A member appointed to a school community council [pursuant to] under
             107      Subsection (5)(e)(i) or (ii) shall serve a two-year term beginning July 1.
             108          (f) Initial terms shall be staggered so that no more than 50% of the council members
             109      stand for election in any one year.
             110          (g) Council members may serve up to three successive terms.
             111          (h) (i) Each school community council shall elect a chair and vice chair from its parent
             112      or guardian members and elected employee members.
             113          (ii) No more than one parent or guardian member or elected employee member may at
             114      the same time serve as an officer specified in Subsection (5)(h)(i).
             115          (6) (a) A school community council may create subcommittees or task forces to:
             116          (i) advise or make recommendations to the council; or
             117          (ii) develop all or part of a plan listed in Subsection (3).
             118          (b) Any plan or part of a plan developed by a subcommittee or task force shall be


             119      subject to the approval of the school community council.
             120          (c) A school community council may appoint individuals who are not council members
             121      to serve on a subcommittee or task force, including parents, school employees, or other
             122      community members.


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]