15-351. School councils; duties; membership

A. The purpose of this section is to ensure that individuals who are affected by the outcome of a decision at the school site share in the decision making process.

B. Each school shall establish a school council. A governing board may delegate to a school council the responsibility to develop a curriculum and may delegate any additional powers that are reasonably necessary to accomplish decentralization. The school council shall take into consideration the ethnic composition of the local community and, except as provided in section 15-352, shall consist of the following members:

1. Parents or guardians of pupils enrolled in the school. A parent or guardian who is employed by the school district may serve as a member of the school council if the parent or guardian is not employed at the same school where the parent or guardian's child is enrolled.

2. Teachers.

3. Noncertified employees.

4. Community members.

5. Pupils, if the school is a high school.

6. The principal of the school.

C. Each group specified in subsection B of this section shall select its school council appointees and shall submit the names of its respective representatives to the principal. The initial representatives shall be selected at public meetings held at the school site, and, thereafter, representatives shall be selected by their groups in the manner determined by the school council. Schools shall give notice of the public meeting where the initial representatives of the groups shall be selected, clearly stating its purpose, time and place. The notice shall be posted in at least three different locations at the school site and in the community and shall be given to pupils for delivery to their parents or guardians.

D. The governing board shall determine the initial number of school council members. Thereafter, the school council shall determine the number. The number of teachers and parents or guardians of pupils enrolled at the school shall be equal. Teachers and parents or guardians of pupils enrolled at the school shall constitute a majority of the school council members.

E. The school council shall adopt written guidelines that specify the number of school council members and the methods for the selection of school council members.

F. The principal shall serve as chairman of the school council unless another person is elected by a majority of the school council members.