GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS



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GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS

Exceptional Children & Psychological Services

EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

BY-LAWS

April 22, 2003

Article I

Name

The name of the organization shall be the Exceptional Children Parent Advisory Council, hereinafter referred to as “the Council” or “this Council.”

Article II

Purpose

This Council shall function as an advocate for children with disabilities in the school system. The major focus of the Council will be system wide issues as opposed to individual concerns. Individual concerns should be directed to the Exceptional Children & Psychological Services Office. The purpose of the Council shall be to advocate for appropriate educational programs and related services for all students with disabilities enrolled in the school system.

An appropriate educational program includes:

1. Appropriate number of qualified and licensed teachers, related services personnel and transportation.

2. Appropriate space and location.

3. Appropriate teaching aids and materials.

4. Appropriate placement for children based on the least restrictive environment.

5. Appropriate teaching strategies.

6. Appropriate outside agency referrals.

The Council will advocate for the education of school personnel, students and parents about students with disabilities, in order that they may better understand these students and their legal rights.

The Council will advise, through the appropriate channels, the School Board and the Administration of its recommendations and concerns, and offer support for needed services.

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Article III

Membership

Section 1

Selection

A. There shall be 10 voting members of the Council, whom shall be parents, foster parents, surrogate parents, grandparents or other legal representatives of a child, currently enrolled in the Guilford County Schools, with a special need, disability or handicap as defined in Article III, Section 5, of these By-Laws. An effort shall be made to include on the Council parents of children who have a variety of disabilities, a range of ages, are students in different schools in the system, and reside in different parts of the county.

The Executive Director, the Coordinator of Exceptional Children & Psychological Services, the Parent Liaison, appropriate Staff, and an appointed Guilford County Schools Board of Education Member shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Council.

Employees of Guilford County Schools with expressed interest in membership on the Council shall be asked to serve on ECPAC Task Forces.

B. The Nominating Committee shall be chaired by the Past-Chairperson and shall recommend nominees to the Council at the May meeting for approval by the full Council or during a special election. Approval shall be by majority vote. The Vice-Chairperson shall serve as a member of the Nominating Committee.

Section 2

Terms

A. To assure continuity, voting members shall be appointed for two staggered terms of two years each.

B. Terms shall begin August 1 and end June 30. No meeting will be held in July of each year.

C. Members may be appointed for consecutive terms of up to a total of six years. A member’s term can be increased by a fourth one-year term if she/he is the immediate Past-Chairperson.

D. Participation on the Exceptional Children Parent Advisory Council

(ECPAC) is governed by the Council’s Code of Ethics. By signing the Code of Ethics, members acknowledge their responsibilities and support the purpose and high standards of the ECPAC.

Section 3

Vacancies

Vacancies that occur during the year shall be filled by the Council in consultation with the Nominating Committee.

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Section 4

Resignations

Notice of resignations shall be made in writing to the Council Chairperson.

Section 5

Definition

Children with disabilities include those children, without limitation, all children who because of permanent or temporary mental, physical and/or emotional disabilities need special education, are unable to have all their educational needs met in a regular class without special education or related services, or are unable to be adequately educated in the public schools.

Article IV

Organization

Section 1

Officers

The officers of the Council shall be a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Past-Chairperson. All officers shall execute the duties of their office as prescribed by the By-Laws of the Council.

Section 2

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee of the Council shall be composed of the officers of the Council and the immediate Past-Chairperson.

The Executive Director of the Exceptional Children & Psychological Services shall serve as ex-officio to the Executive Committee.

Section 3

Nominations and Election of Officers

A. A Nominating Committee of three and no more than five shall be appointed by the Council, chaired by the Past-Chairperson at the March business meeting, or during the year in the event of a special election.

B. Nominations/slate of officers shall be made by the Nominating Committee, and presented at the May meeting of the Council. Nominations may be accepted from the floor at this meeting with prior consent of the nominee. The elections shall take place at this business meeting. Special Elections can take place during the year when necessary.

C. Each office shall be filled by the nominee receiving the majority vote.

D. Officers shall serve up to two years.

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Section 4

Vacancies

A. An office which becomes vacant during the term shall be filled for the duration of the term, by the candidate elected by majority vote based on recommendations of the Nominating Committee.

Article V

Duties of Officers

Section 1

Chairperson

The Chairperson shall preside at meetings of the Council and its Executive Committee, and be an ex-officio member of all Committees with the exception of the Nominating Committee. The Chairperson shall be the official spokesperson for the Council and shall respond to all questions, including media and other agencies. The Chairperson may designate this responsibility to another Council member when appropriate.

Section 2

Vice-Chairperson

The Vice-Chairperson shall preside at Council meetings in the absence of the Chairperson. The Vice-Chairperson shall be responsible for reviewing attendance, and performing other duties as directed by the Chairperson or Executive Committee. The Vice-Chairperson shall serve as a member of the Nominating Committee.

Section 3

Secretary

The Secretary shall keep minutes of all Council meetings, a file of the minutes of subcommittees and the Council meetings, a record of attendance at all Council meetings and maintain the official permanent file for the Council. Other duties shall include providing the Office of the Executive Director of Exceptional Children & Psychological Services with necessary items such as the minutes and the notices of forthcoming meetings. Minutes shall be submitted to the ECPAC one week following the monthly meeting

Section 4

Past-Chairperson

The Past-Chairperson shall chair the Nominating Committee and the By-Laws Committee.

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Section 5

Records

All officers shall turn over to their successors any official materials within thirty days after election of new officers.

Article VI

Staff Representative

The Executive Director of Exceptional Children & Psychological Services shall serve as the staff representative and liaison with the Guilford County Schools administration. The EC Executive Director, Coordinator, Program Administrator and Parent Liaison shall serve as ex-officio members. The EC Parent Liaison shall provide routine secretarial services to the Council.

Article VII

Committees and Task Forces

Standing Committees shall include Executive Committee, Nominating Committee and By-Laws Committee.

The Executive Committee shall conduct business between the regular scheduled meetings of the Council at a minimum of two times during the school year (August and January).

The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of officers to present to the Council at the May meeting. The Nominating Committee shall also present nominees to fill vacancies or new terms on the Council at the May meeting in accordance with Article III, Section 1.

Ad Hoc committees and/or task forces shall be appointed by the Chairperson as deemed necessary to carry out the business of the Council. These groups will operate in accordance to our By-Laws and Code-of-Ethics.

Article VIII

Meetings

Section 1

Regular Meetings

Regular meetings of the Council shall be held monthly from August 1 to June 30. These meetings will be scheduled to accommodate times that are convenient for the voting members of the Council.

Section 2

Special Meetings

Special meetings can be called by the Chairperson, the Executive Committee, or by written request of four members of the Council. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call.

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Attendance

Members of the Council are expected to attend a minimum of 75% of the regular scheduled meetings of the Council. If a member’s attendance becomes a problem, the Vice-Chairperson shall contact the member to discuss willingness to serve on the Council.

Section 3

Voting

A simple majority of the voting representatives shall constitute a quorum. A member may vote by proxy by notifying the Chairperson.

Article IX

Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the Council in all cases to which they apply.

Article X

Amendments of By-Laws

These By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Council by a majority vote of those present, provided that the amendment has been submitted to the members at least two weeks prior to the regular meeting.

Approved: May 20, 2003

__________________

Chairperson

__________________

Co-Chairperson

Amended: June 16, 2003

Amended: October 11, 2005

Amended: July 10, 2006

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