2006 Utah Code - 53A-1a-108 — School community councils authorized -- Duties -- Composition -- Selection of members.

     53A-1a-108.   School community councils authorized -- Duties -- Composition -- Selection of members.
     (1) As used in this section:
     (a) "Parent or guardian member" means a parent or guardian of a student who is attending the school or who will be enrolled at the school at any time during the parent's or guardian's initial term of office. "Parent or guardian member" may not include a person who meets the definition of a school employee member unless the person's employment at the school does not exceed an average of six hours per week.
     (b) "School employee member" means a person employed at a school by the school or school district, including the principal.
     (2) Each public school, in consultation with its local school board, shall establish a school community council at the school building level.
     (3) (a) Each school community council shall:
     (i) develop a school improvement plan in accordance with Section 53A-1a-108.5;
     (ii) develop the School LAND Trust Program in accordance with Section 53A-16-101.5;
     (iii) assist in the development and implementation of a staff professional development plan as provided by Section 53A-3-701;
     (iv) develop a child access routing plan in accordance with Section 53A-3-402; and
     (v) advise and make recommendations to school and 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.
     (b) In addition to the duties specified in Subsection (3)(a), a school community council for an elementary school shall develop a reading achievement plan in accordance with Section 53A-1-606.5.
     (4) (a) Each school community council shall consist of school employee members and parent or guardian members in accordance with this section.
     (b) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(c):
     (i) each school community council for a high school shall have six parent or guardian members and five school employee members, including the principal; and
     (ii) each school community council for a school other than a high school shall have four parent or guardian members and three school employee members, including the principal.
     (c) (i) A school community council may have a larger membership provided that the number of parent or guardian members exceeds the number of school employee members.
     (ii) A school community council may have a smaller membership provided that:
     (A) the number of parent or guardian members exceeds the number of school employee members; and
     (B) there are at least two school employee members on the school community council.
     (5) (a) Each school employee member, except the principal, shall be elected by a majority vote of the school employees and serves a two-year term beginning July 1. The principal shall serve as an ex officio member with full voting privileges.
     (b) (i) Each parent or guardian member shall be elected at an election held at the school by a majority vote of those voting at the election and serves a two-year term beginning July 1.
     (ii) Only parents or guardians of students attending the school may vote at the election under Subsection (5)(b)(i).
    

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     (iii) Any parent or guardian of a student who meets the qualifications of this section may file or declare himself as a candidate for election to a school community council.
     (c) Written notice of the elections held under Subsections (5)(a) and (5)(b) shall be given at least two weeks prior to the elections.
     (d) Results of the elections held under Subsections (5)(a) and (5)(b) shall be made available to the public upon request.
     (e) (i) If a parent or guardian position on a school community council remains unfilled after an election is held, the other parent or guardian members of the council shall appoint a parent or guardian who meets the qualifications of this section to fill the position.
     (ii) If a school employee position on a school community council remains unfilled after an election is held, the other school employee members of the council shall appoint a school employee to fill the position.
     (iii) The chair of the community council shall notify the local school board of each appointment made pursuant to Subsection (5)(e)(i) or (ii).
     (iv) A member appointed to a school community council pursuant to Subsection (5)(e)(i) or (ii) shall serve a two-year term beginning July 1.
     (f) Initial terms shall be staggered so that no more than 50% of the council members stand for election in any one year.
     (g) Council members may serve up to three successive terms.
     (h) (i) Each school community council shall elect a chair and vice chair from its parent or guardian members and elected employee members.
     (ii) No more than one parent or guardian member or elected employee member may at the same time serve as an officer specified in Subsection (5)(h)(i).
     (6) (a) A school community council may create subcommittees or task forces to:
     (i) advise or make recommendations to the council; or
     (ii) develop all or part of a plan listed in Subsection (3).
     (b) Any plan or part of a plan developed by a subcommittee or task force shall be subject to the approval of the school community council.
     (c) A school community council may appoint individuals who are not council members to serve on a subcommittee or task force, including parents, school employees, or other community members.

Amended by Chapter 119, 2006 General Session