The Center for the School of the Future

Objectives
Understand proper election procedure & deadlines Understand candidacy eligibility

Election Parallels

Preparation for SCC Elections

Before the end of the school year Determine vacancies Post notice of elections at the school & send note home

Candidate Eligibility
Parents/Legal Guardians

Must have a student enrolled at the school at any time during the two-year term for which candidacy is sought Incumbent members seeking re-election for a second or third term are eligible whether or not they have a student enrolled during the subsequent term(s) Parents who are licensed educators and employed by the school district where their children attend school may now run for a parent member position at their childs school if they do not teach at the same school.

Candidate Eligibility
School Employees

Staff may serve as parent members as long as they do not teach at the same school their child attends Employee members resign their school community council membership at such time they are no longer employees assigned at the school May serve up to three consecutive terms

Election Rules

All elections are overseen by the school principal SCC campaign materials are not allowed on school grounds, although schools are encouraged to distribute candidate biographical information Elections must be held for three consecutive school days Elections must begin prior to the 31st day of school Ballots will list the names of candidates alphabetically Only parents or legal guardians of the students enrolled at the school may vote in elections Each parent/guardian will receive one vote & the signatures of those casting ballots will be obtained One Ballot, which will list the names of employee candidates alphabetically, will be prepared for each employee of the school The signature of the employee casting the ballot will be obtained Each ballot will declare the number of vacancies and allow the voter to vote for up to that number of candidates The principal, accompanied by at least one parent/guardian observer and at least one employee observer from the sitting council will process the ballots Those parent/guardians and those teachers receiving the most votes will be appointed to the council Ties will be decided by members of the sitting council using a method of their choice (lots, consensus, etc) Results of the election will be made public as soon as reasonably possible. Tallies & ballots must be retained by the school for one year and made available to the public upon request.

Election Methods
At school

Ballots can be available at parent/teacher conferences, school registration, back to school night or other school activities. SCCs may establish procedures that allow for ballots to be clearly marked and returned to the school SCCs may establish procedures that allow for voting to be done electronically Students could deliver one ballot per parent/guardian that would be filled out, signed and returned to the school by the student or the parent

Mail-in ballots

Electronic Voting

Student Delivered

What if Positions are Unfilled?

Parent Position

If due to a lack of declared candidates, the parent members of the council can appoint a parent. If a parent has to leave the council before the end of their term, the council may appoint a qualified parent to serve out the remainder of the term If due to a lack of declared candidates, the employee members of the council can appoint an employee. If an employee has to leave the council before the end of their term, the council may appoint a qualified employee to serve out the remainder of the term

Employee Position

Questions for Discussion

Why are proper procedures for SCC elections

necessary?
How can awareness of elections procedures help

parents participate in SCCs?