CHARTER TRUST LAND COUNCIL RULES OF ORDER AND PROCEDURE

   Procedure:

Date: 09/21/2017

Updated: 09/25/2018; 9/22/2020          

CHARTER TRUST LAND COUNCIL RULES OF ORDER AND PROCEDURE

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Charter schools are not required to have a School Community Council or a School Improvement Plan, as non-charter public schools are. However, charter schools that elect to receive School LAND Trust funds shall have a Charter Trust Land Council (council) that prepares plans and reports consistent with the requirements of the School LAND Trust Program. The council shall be:

    • The governing board of the charter school if the makeup of the board includes a two parent/grandparent member majority. The parent members must have students currently attending the school.
    • OR the governing board may establish a process for election of a council with a two parent/grandparent member majority of children currently attending the school. The chair must be a parent/grandparent member.

To promote ethical behavior and civil discourse each council member shall:

    • Attend council meetings on time and prepared
    • Make decisions with the needs of students as the main objective
    • Listen to and value diverse opinions
    • Be sure the opinions of those you represent are included in discussions
    • Expect accountability and be prepared to be accountable
    • Act with integrity

Rules of Procedure

All meetings are open to the public and subject to the Open and Public Meeting Act.

The agenda of each upcoming meeting with draft minutes of the prior meeting will be made available to all council members at least one week in advance, will be posted on the school website and made available in the main office. The agenda will include the date, time and location of the meeting. 

Minutes will be kept of all meetings, prepared in draft format for approval at the next scheduled meeting. 

The council will prepare a timeline for the school year that includes due dates for all required reporting and other activities/tasks that the council agrees to assume or participate in. 

Timeline and Associated Tasks

Prior to October 20th

    • Submit the Membership Report on the website – names and emails of council members.
    • Submit the Principal Assurance Form that includes questions about compliance to law and state board rule.

Prior to January 15th

The prior year financial information is automatically entered on the School LAND Trust program website form the UPEFS data submitted by schools in October.

Prior to February 5th

The Principal enters the Final Report on the prior year’s implementation, expenditures and measurement results on the School LAND Trust website.

Prior to April 1st

The council meets and follows the steps required to prepare the School Plan.

    • Identify the schools greatest academic needs.
    • Recommend an action plan to meet the needs. The plan must have a direct impact on the instruction of students and result in measurable increased student performance.
    • Outline how the School LAND Trust funds will be used to implement the plan.
    • The council or local charter school board votes to approve the School Plan.
    • Enter the School Plan for the upcoming school year on the website.

Before May 15th

School Plans are approved by the council.  If revisions need to be made, the council makes revisions and approves.  When approved, School Plans are put on the website and become viewable to the public. 

July

Funds are distributed with approved plans in the July allotment.

Parliamentary Procedure

Meetings shall be conducted and action taken according to very simplified rules of parliamentary procedure as required in 53G-7-1203(10).  Council actions will be taken by motions and voting with votes and motions recorded in the minutes.

Simple Motions of Parliamentary Procedure

Motion Require a 2nd? Is it Debatable Can Be Amended A Vote Required
Adjourn Yes No No Majority
Amend a motion Yes Yes Yes Majority
Main motion Yes Yes Yes Majority
Point of Order No No No Ruled by chair
Close nominations Yes No Yes 2/3
Reconsider Yes Yes No Majority
Withdrawal of Motion No No No Majority

A motion (or an action to be taken by the council) is stated as a motion.  Someone else on the council “seconds” the motion indicating that at least one other person on the council feels the motion is worthy of discussion.  Then the council members may provide input and discussion as called upon by the chair.  When discussion seems complete the chair may call for a vote on the motion.  Without discussion the chair calls for a vote that must pass by 2/3. 

    • A tie vote is a lost vote.
    • Most motions are main motions. A main motion may be amended.
    • A point of order is offered when there is some question if procedure had been followed correctly.
    • To stop debate or discussion on a motion and force the vote a member would say, “I move the previous question.” This requires a second and a 2/3 vote.
    • Hasty action may be corrected by use of the motion to reconsider. This motion may be made only by one who voted on the prevailing side.
    • A person who made the motion may withdraw the same motion.

There is a process for amending approved School Plans when necessary.  There is an amendment form attached to the approved School Plan on the School LAND Trust website.  The approval process is the same as for approving the original plan.

School LAND Trust website:  www.schoollandtrust.org

UTAH CODE 53G-7-1203

USBE Rule R277-477