ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Decatur County District Administrative Staff wishes to acknowledge that the "Handbook for School Councils", Marietta City Schools, Marietta, Georgia, and the "Handbook for School Councils", Colquitt County Schools, Moultrie, Georgia, were critical resources for the development of this document.

Implementation and Annual Activities

April Preceding Council Election in May
        Each affected building principal shall schedule a date for council elections and cause to be posted announcements
        of meeting date, place and time for purposes of elections.

May Preceding July Installation of Teacher Council Members
        At announced time, date and place the faculty of each affected school shall assemble at after-school hours
        for the sole purpose of electing council representatives. Voting shall be by secret ballot.

        Each school shall devise a method for written nominations to be received prior to voting. Nominations shall
        also be received from the floor during the meeting for the purpose of electing teacher representatives on the council.

        Ballots shall be prepared and provided by the building principal. Ballots shall be counted by the building principal
        and a teacher. The teacher shall be selected by his/her peers for this purpose and cannot be a nominee for a council
        position. An announcement of the elected candidates shall be made at the same meeting with the results-forwarded in
        writing to the superintendent.

        All prepared ballots shall be forwarded by the principal to the superintendent after the election. Ballots shall be
        retained at the Central Office for one month.

May preceding July Installation of Parent Council Members

        At announced time, date and place the parents of each affected school shall assemble at after-school hours for the
        purpose of electing council representatives. Voting shall be by secret ballot.

        Each school shall devise a method for written nominations to be received prior to voting. Nominations shall also be
        received from the floor during the meeting for the purpose of electing parent representatives on the council.

        Ballots shall be prepared and provided by the building principal. Ballots shall be counted by the building principal and a
        parent. The parent shall be selected by his/her peers for this purpose and cannot be a nominee for a council position. An
        announcement of the elected candidates shall be made at the same meeting with the results forwarded in writing to the
        superintendent.

        All prepared ballots shall be forwarded by the principal to the superintendent after the election. Ballots shall be
        retained at the Central Office for one month.

May or June Preceding July Installation of Board-Appointed Business Person

        The Decatur County Board of Education shall appoint one business person to each school's council as appropriate.

After Installation and During First Meeting in July

        Each school's elected council members and including the building principal shall appoint one business person to serve
        on its council as appropriate.

July of Each Year

        Council operation is initiated. Once council operation is initiated, in subsequent years new council members
        begin service unless elected under special circumstances.

Council members shall follow Georgia's Professional Standards Commission Code of Ethics for Educators, as modified. A copy of the Code of Ethics, as modified, is provided below.

"Student" is any individual enrolled in the state's public or private schools from preschool through grade 12.

Standard 2: Abuse of Students - An educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom. Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to: committing any act of cruelty to children or any act of child endangerment; committing or soliciting any unlawful sexual act; committing any act of sexual harassment; soliciting, encouraging, or consummating a romantic or inappropriate relationship with a student (including dating a student) whether written, verbal, or physical; and furnishing alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs to any student or allowing a student to consume alcohol or illegal/unauthorized drugs.

Standard 3: Alcohol or Drugs - An educator should refrain from the abuse of alcohol or drugs during the course of service on the council. Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to: being on school premises or at a school-sponsored activity involving students while under the influence of, possessing, using, or consuming alcohol.

Standard 4: Misrepresentation or Falsification - An educator should exemplify honesty and integrity in the course of professional service on the council. Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to: falsifying, deliberately misrepresenting, or omitting professional qualifications, college or staff' development credit and/or degrees, academic award, and employment history; falsifying, deliberately misrepresenting, or omitting information regarding compliance reports submitted to federal, state, and other governmental agencies; falsifying, deliberately misrepresenting, or omitting information regarding the evaluation of students and/or personnel; falsifying, deliberately misrepresenting, or omitting information submitted in the course of an official inquiry/investigation, or any school council business.

Standard 5: Public Funds and Property - An educator entrusted with public funds and property should honor that trust with a high level of honesty, accuracy, and responsibility. Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to; misusing public or school-related funds or property; failing to account for funds collected from students or parents; and submitting fraudulent requests for reimbursement of expenses or for pay.

Standard 6: Improper Remunerative Conduct - An educator should maintain integrity with students, colleagues, parents, patrons, or businesses when accepting gifts, gratuities, favors, and additional compensation. Unethical conduct includes but is not limited to accepting gifts from vendors or potential vendors for personal use or gain where there may be the appearance of conflict of interest.

Standard 7: Confidential Information - An educator should comply with state and federal laws and local school board policies relating to the confidentiality of records, unless disclosure is required or permitted by law. Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, unauthorized sharing of confidential information concerning student academic and disciplinary records, personal confidences, and health and assessment/testing results.

Standard 8: Abandonment of Council Responsibilities - An educator should fulfill all of the terms and obligations of service as a member of the local school council. Unethical conduct includes failure of a council member to meet the requirements of accountability. See Article WII, Accountability.

Standard 9: Professional Conduct - An educator should demonstrate conduct that follows generally recognized professional standards. Unethical conduct is any conduct that seriously impairs the council member's ability to function in his or her council position or conduct that is detrimental to the health, welfare, discipline, or morals of students (inappropriate language, physical altercations, etc.).

HB 1187, SECTION 10. ARTICLE 4A. O.C.G.A. 20-2-85, et seq.

The establishment of school councils is intended to help local boards of education develop and nurture participation, bring parents and the community together with teachers and school administrators to create a better understanding and a mutual respect for each other's concerns, and share ideas for school improvement. School councils shall be reflective of the school community.

The management and control of public schools shall be the responsibility of local boards of education and the school leader shall be the principal . School councils shall provide advice, recommendations, and assistance, and represent the community of parents and businesses. Each member of the council, as a community representative, shall be accorded the respect and attention deserving of such election.

July 1, 2001
        Bainbridge High School
        West Bainbridge Middle School
        Hutto Middle School
        John Johnson Elementary School
        West Bainbridge Elementary School

October 1, 2003
        All Decatur County Schools shall have councils in total operation.
The Decatur County Board of Education in conjunction with Southwest Georgia RESA and other appropriate agencies, shall provide a training program to assist schools in forming a school council and to assist school council members in the performance of their duties. Such program shall address:

        (1)    the organization of councils;
        (2)    their purpose and responsibilities;
        (3)    applicable laws, rules, regulations, and meeting procedures
        (4)    important state and local school system requirements;
        (5)    a model school council organizational plan.

The training program shall be offered to school council members at least twice per school year. Each council member shall complete designated training before assuming a place on the council.

Members of the council shall serve for a term of two years.

Seven school council members shall manage the property and business of the council. A majority shall constitute a quorum. School council members must be individuals who are 18 years of age or older. Members of the school council shall include:
        (1)    Two parents or guardians of students enrolled in the school, excluding employees who are parents
                or guardians of such students. Parent councilmembers shall be elected by, and from among, the group they
                represent.
Note A: An employee of the local school system may serve as a parent representative on the council of a school in which his or her child is enrolled if such employee works at a different school.
Note B: A parent of a child assigned to an alternative school does not quality for election as a parent in the home school where his/her child would attend and shall forego council membership if placement occurs after election to the council.
Note C: While terms of office are for two years, parents or guardians of any grade-level child enrolled in the school are eligible to vote and hold office. regardless of whether or not their child may graduate from the school in one year or less. (The parents of students who will enter a school are eligible to vote and hold office. For instance fifth grade parents will be eligible to vote in May and hold office in July preceding the enrollment of the child in August as a sixth grade student at the receiving middle school: likewise for entering ninth graders at Bainbridge High School.)
Note D: School Board members. as parents or business persons, are disqualified from serving on school councils but are allowed to vote as a parent from an electing body.
Note E: There is no prohibition in the law for a qualified person to serve on two or more school councils. where qualified.

        2)     Two business persons, one of whom shall be selected by the board of education and one of whom shall be
                selected by the other five non-business members of the school council from the business partners* of the school or,
                if there are no business partners, from the local business community;
Note A: There is no requirement that the business person's business is located within the school's attendance zone.
Note B: Church personnel, military personnel. and governmental personnel do not meet eligibility criteria for "business person." Business persons must be actively engaged in commerce to be eligible.

        (3)    Two certificated teachers*, excluding any personnel employed in administrative positions, who are employed
                 at least four of the six school segments at the school; and
Note A: *The teacher is defined as a regular classroom teacher. including media personnel, counselors, and excluding itinerant or part-time teachers who serve less than four segments at the school.
Note B: Teachers who have resigned but are currently employed are eligible to vote and be elected as a teacher representative. Upon the effective date of the resignation, the teacher is disqualified to vote or hold office on the council.

        (4)    The school principal is automatically appointed to the council. No election is required. The school principal
                 holds office by virtue of his/her position as principal. The chairperson of the council shall be the school principal.

Conflict of interest issues generally do not apply to council members because councils are advisory in nature as opposed to boards of education, which are decision-making bodies.

An election within the electing body for a replacement to fill the remainder of an unexpired term shall be held within 30 days, unless there are 90 calendar days or less remaining in the term, in which case the vacancy shall remain unfilled until the next scheduled election.

The council secretary shall be responsible for notifying, in writing, the Bainbridge Post-Searchlight of any and all meetings of the council at least twenty-four hours in advance of the meeting. It is the responsibility of the council secretary to maintain a written record of compliance with this notification requirement. Additionally, the council secretary shall provide advance notification, in writing, to the school community of teachers and parents of any and all school council meetings. (see: Article XII. Officers and Duties)

The adoption Bylaws or changes thereto require five affirmative votes.

All questions before the council require a majority vote of a quorum of members present.

Each member of the council is authorized to exercise one vote. Proxy votes are not allowed. Voting members must be present to vote.

Members of the council shall not receive remuneration to serve on the council or its committees.

After providing public notice at least two weeks before the meeting of each electing body, the principal of each school shall call a meeting of electing bodies during the month of May each year for selecting members of the school council.

Members of the council shall serve for a term of two years.

The electing body for the parent members shall consist of all parents and guardians eligible to serve as a parent member of the school council.

The electing body for the teacher members shall consist of all certificated personnel eligible to serve as teacher member of the school council.

Election Method/Procedures

Written nominations shall be accepted by the principal from members within the electing body prior to the actual voting meeting. Nominations from the floor shall be accepted at the meeting of the electing body. Teacher and parent election meetings shall use the plurality method of election. If two seats on the council are vacant, voters will select two names; if only one seat is vacant, voters will select one name. One vote shall be taken with the two highest vote recipients being elected to serve on the school council. Where two individuals tie with the highest number of votes, both shall serve on the council, provided two council positions are open. If only one position on the council is open, then subsequent votes are required until one single individual emerges with the highest vote. Teachers/Parents must be present and qualified to vote. Proxies are not allowed. A person does not have to be present at the time of the vote to be elected to the school council.
Note A: The law allows all qualified parents/guardians of a student enrolled in the school to vote. More than one qualified parent/guardian of a child enrolled in the school may vote during the election meeting.

Election Ballots: It shall be the responsibility of the school principal to provide ballots to be used in the election of parent and teacher representatives to the school council. All printed ballots shall be forwarded to the superintendent or his designee and maintained on file for one month following the election. The appointment of business persons to the council shall occur as needed. Councils will appoint the business member during the July meeting while the Board will appoint its business representative in May.
Procedure A: Each teacher/parent shall be issued one ballot after being identified by the school principal or designee as a member of the electing body.

Each local School council shall adopt the bylaws and guidelines included herein and such additional bylaws and guidelines as it deems appropriate to conduct the business of the council. The adoption of bylaws or changes thereto requires five affirmative votes. The bylaws adopted by local school councils shall not be inconsistent with the language of intent of the Handbook for School Councils: Bylaws and Guidelines of the Decatur County Schools, adopted _______________________, and, thereafter, as revised.

The officers of the council shall be a chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary. Officers of the council, other than the chairperson, shall be appointed by resolution of the council at the first meeting of the council following the election of school council members. The officers of the council shall hold office concurrently with the term of members of the council.

The Chairperson
The chairperson of the council is the school principal. The school principal shall have the following duties pertaining to school council activities:
(1)    Cause to be created a school council by convening the appropriate bodies to
         select school council members; setting the initial agenda, meeting time, and
         location; and notifying all school council members of the same;
(2)    Serve as chairperson of the school council and perform all of the duties
         required by law and the bylaws of the council;
(3)    Speak for and represent the council in all school council matters before the
         local board of education;
(4)    Communicate all council requests for information and assistance to the local
         school superintendent and inform the council of responses or actions of the
         local school superintendent;
(5)    Develop the school improvement plan and school operation plan and submit
         the plans to the school council for its review, comments, recommendations
         and approval;
(6)     Develop the agenda for each meeting of the council after taking into
         consideration suggestions of council members and urgency of school
         matters. An item may be added to the agenda at the request of three or more
         council members; and
(7)    Provide to the council the initial and midterm allotment sheets for the school that are provided by the
         Department of Education.
(8)    Responsible for signing the requirement affidavit on each occasion
         the school council elects to close a meeting and enter into executive session.
         A copy of the affidavit shall be forwarded to the designated district level
         administrator along with a copy of the meeting minutes.

The Vice-Chairperson
The vice-chairperson shall, in the absence or disability of the chairperson, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the chairperson and shall perform such other duties as shall from time to time be imposed upon him or her by the council.

The Secretary
The secretary shall attend all meetings, act as clerk of the council, and be responsible for recording all votes and minutes of all proceedings in the books to be kept for that purpose. The secretary shall give or cause to be given notice of all meetings of the council and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the council or the chairperson, under whose supervision the secretary shall be.

        (1)    Maintain a school wide perspective on issues;
        (2)    Regularly participate in council meetings;
        (3)    Participate in information and training programs;
        (4)    Act as a link between the school council and the community;
        (5)    Encourage the participation of parents and others within the school community;
        (6)    Commit to a parent involvement process that provides for:
                        a. Establishing an open, friendly parent environment;
                        b. Increasing parental participation;
                        c. Improving two-way communication between school and home,
                            including what their child will be expected to learn; and
                        d. Developing parental outreach programs.
        (7)    Work to improve student achievement and performance.
        (8)    Always consider that its school is a part of a larger educational effort and to
                that end recommend policies and practices that serve the interests of all children.

Schools operating under councils shall comply with those policies that fall within the authority of the Board of Education, including but not limited to those prohibiting discrimination based on age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, or disability.

A copy of council meeting minutes and a copy of any affidavit executed shall be forwarded to the designated district level administrator within three working days (Monday-Friday).

School councils shall be subject to Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50, relating to the inspection of public records, in the same manner as local boards of education.

At all meetings of the council every question shall be determined by a majority vote of members present, representing a quorum.

The Decatur County Board of Education shall provide all information not specifically made confidential by law, including budget information, to the council as requested. The Decatur County Board of Education may also designate an employee of the school system to attend council meetings as requested by a school council for the purpose of responding to questions the council may have concerning information provided to it by the local board of education or actions taken by the local board of education.

The Decatur County Board of Education shall receive all recommendations of the school council, including the annual report. All recommendations by each council to the board of education shall include a statement or rationale explaining how the recommendation will benefit students. The Decatur County Board of Education shall have the authority to overturn any decision of the school council as follows:

(1)    Public notice shall be given to the community of the local board's intent to consider
        school council reports, recommendations, appointments, or any other decision of a school council;
Procedure A: Council items shall be listed on the board's agenda and such agenda shall be provided to the Bainbridge Post-Searchlight for public notice. Copy of notice shall be posted for public review at the School Board's Administration Offices.

(2)    Written notice shall be given to the members of the school council at least seven days prior to
        such local board meeting, along with a notice of intent to consider a council report, recommendation,
        appointment, or any other decision of the council;
Procedure A: The designated district level administrator is responsible for notifying at least ten (10) working days (Monday-Friday). in advance, in writing (e-mail acceptable notice), the principal of each school council that has matters pending before the board. that the board of education shall hold a meeting and at such meeting the board intends to consider a council's report. recommendation. appointment or any decision made by the council. Such notice shall contain the meeting date of the board of education and the matters to be considered. and shall be kept on file for reference should a question arise. The principal shall notify, in writing, each member of the council at least seven days prior to the board of education meeting concerning the notice received.

(3)     The principal as chairman of the school council shall be afforded an opportunity to present information
          in support of the school council's action; and
Procedure A: The principal shall speak for and represent the council in all school council matters before the board of education. See. specifically: Article XII. Officers and Duties. the Chairperson (3). At the Board Chairperson's discretion. other members of the council may be allowed the opportunity to present information.

(4)    A majority of the board members present, representing a quorum, may vote to accept, deny,
        or table a recommendation of a council.

The Decatur County Board of Education shall respond to each recommendation of the school council within 60 calendar days after being notified* in writing of the recommendation.
Note A: *Notification is completed when the board of education officially receives written notification in a meeting (regular, called, or work session) of the board of a school council's report, recommendation; appointment, or other decision of a council. After initial receipt of a school council item, the designated district level administrator is responsible for placing school council item(s) on a board agenda within the sixty (60) calendar day requirement.

(B)    Councils shall provide advice and recommendations to the school principal and, where appropriate,
         the Decatur County Board of Education on any matter, including, but not limited to, the following:

        (1)    School calendar; The schedule of the school day and week, subject to the beginning
                 and ending times of the school day and school calendar and transportation requirements
                 as set by the Board of Education.

        (2)    School codes for conduct and dress and including the selection and implementation of
                discipline and classroom management techniques as a part of a comprehensive school
                safety plan, including responsibilities of the student, parent, teacher, counselor and principal;

        (3)   Curriculum, program goals, and priorities including procedures consistent with local
                board policy for determining alignment with state standards and technology utilization.
                Procedures shall be in place for providing the necessary textbooks and instructional
                materials for all grades and subject areas in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations.

        (4)    The responses of the school to audits of the school as conducted by the Office of Education Accountability;

        (5)    Preparation and distribution to the community of a school profile which shall contain
                data as identified by the council to describe the academic performance, academic progress,
                services, awards, interventions, environment, and other such data as the council deems appropriate;

        (6)    In the case of a vacancy in the position of school principal*, the recommendation of a
                 school principal from a list** of qualified applicants submitted by the local board of
                 education and local school superintendent to the council;
Note A: 'School principal as defined herein relates solely to the school principal and does not include assistant principals or administrative assistants.
Note B: "One list shall be submitted to the school council, which contains the names of qualified candidates. The Superintendent shall discuss such qualified candidates with the Board. The superintendent shall forward a copy of the names of the approved candidates to the school council.
Note C: Upon receipt of the list of qualified candidates for the position of principal. the school council is required to hold all personnel discussion in executive session. No vote may occur in executive session. The council must vote in open session to recommend a school principal for consideration by the superintendent and board of education.
Note D: May a sitting principal vote on his/her successor? No. This poses a potential conflict of interest.
Note E. May a sitting principal participate in interviews of those on the board-approved list? No.
Note F: May a school council reject all candidates on the list? No.
Note G: May a school council add a candidate to the list? No.
Note H: May a school council recommend more than one qualified candidate? No.
Note I: Does a school council's recommendation supersede the Superintendent's authority to recommend employment under O.C.GA. 20-2-211(a)? No. The council is advisory in nature.

        (7)    Within budgetary limits an equitable method for allocating funds to
                 purchase instructional items. This method shall include school budget
                 priorities, including school capital improvement plans;
 
        (8)    School-community communications strategies including two-way communication
                 between the school and home, including what their child will be expected to learn;

        (9)    Methods of reporting to parents and communities other than through the school profile;

      (10)    Extracurricular activities in the school including determination of policies
                 relating to student participation based on academic evaluation and attendance requirements;

      (11)    School-based community services and parental outreach programs;

      (12)    Community use of school facilities;

      (13)     Recommendations concerning school board policies;

      (14)    Receiving and reviewing reports form the school principal regarding progress
                   toward the school's student achievement goals, including progress within specific
                   grade levels and subject areas and by school personnel; and

      (15)    The method and specifications for the delivery of early intervention services.

The plan shall address, but not be limited to the level of effectiveness in instructing the QCC's. The plan shall also address improving student discipline and school-home communications.

The school plan shall serve as a resource for school and council decision making. Each council shall annually report in writing to the Decatur County Board of Education regarding the progress toward achieving the goals and desired outcomes and meeting the needs identified in the action plan.