Woonsocket Middle School

School Improvement Team By-Law

1. Statement of Purpose:

The School Improvement Team (SIT) is composed of parents, school staff, students and community members.

The Purpose of the Woonsocket Middle School Improvement Team is to devise and facilitate a plan to increase overall student academic performance by improving learning, climate and communication.

2. Membership:

1. The SIT shall consist of not more than 37 members.

2. Team Composition:

• 2 - 4     Business/Community Representatives

• 2 - 4     Parents

• 2 - 4     Students

• 15        Faculty

• 5          School Community

• 2 - 3     House Leaders

• 1 - 2     Administrators or Representatives

        29 - 37 Total

3. Ten (10) members shall constitute a quorum.

4. The SIT will strive to have representation from all grades and disciplines in the faculty.

5. Additional members may be added at the discretion of the SIT.

6. The Woonsocket School Committee may designate a representative to attend and advise during the meetings.

3. Selection Procedure:

1. The Membership Committee shall solicit new SIT members, excluding administrators, when a vacancy occurs.

2. The Membership Committee shall solicit replacements for vacancies immediately after the first SIT meeting at which the vacancy becomes known.

3. Letters of interest will be filed as received. Vacancies will be filled at the discretion of the SIT. When filling vacancies, team  composition and diversity will be considered.

4. Tenure:

1. The administrators shall be standing members of the SIT.

2. There shall be a minimum commitment of 2 years.

3. Any member wishing to withdraw shall submit a formal letter of resignation to the SIT Membership Committee.

5. Norms of the Team:

Each team member shall make a commitment to the following norms and expectations of  the team members.

• Make every effort to attend meetings, be on time, let the appropriate person know if you can not attend, keep up to date on all information.
• Understand the level of commitment.
• Start on time, stick to time, and end on time.
• Be respectful.
• Be prepared - bring required information, copies needed.
• Stay on task, no personal agendas.
• Be flexible, open to compromise.
• Have no side conversations.
• All have input.
• Keep a positive attitude; have a sense of humor.
• Use positive body language.
• Be responsible to others not on team (constituents).

6. Attendance:

1. All SIT members will make every effort to attend all meetings. The recorder will keep attendance for all meetings.
2. If a member is unable to attend a meeting, the member must inform the chair, vice-chair, recorder, or an administrator prior to the meeting.

7. Roles and Responsibilities:

The SIT shall have all of the following roles filled for all meetings;

1. Chairperson/and or Vice-chair
2. Recorder

Members will have the opportunity to volunteer for different roles in advance. The chair will appoint a member to fill-in, pro-tempore, for a meeting. These roles will have a two (2) year term.

1. Chairperson

The chairperson will prepare the agreed upon agenda for the meeting and move the meeting forward. The chairperson will assign roles if needed, due to a member's absence. The chairperson will appoint members to committees.

The chairperson's responsibilities are to:

1. Start the meeting on time.
2. Ensure group norms are observed.
3. Ensure participation by all members.
4. Reach objective and be aware of the techniques/tools that move the process forward.
5. Set the agenda for each meeting.
6. Appoint members to committees and committee chairs.

2. Vice-chairperson

The vice-chair will assist and/or replace the chair in preparation and running of the meetings.

The responsibilities of the vice-chair are to:

1. Assist the chair.
2. Replace the chair in the event of absence or resignation.
3. Chair the membership committee.

3. Recorder

The recorder will take general and specific minutes of the meeting and keep track  of the attendance.

The responsibilities of the recorder are to:

1. Prepare and distribute an agenda and the previous meeting minutes no later than five (5) days before the meeting.
2. Summarize and edit the minutes.
3. Post the approved minutes on the professional development/SIT bulletin boards.
4. Keep attendance.
5. Update by-laws as amended by the team.

8. Committees:

1. Standing committee shall be formed as needed. It is expected that all SIT  members serve on at least one (1) committee.

1. Membership Committee shall consist of at least two (2) members with the vice-chair as chair. They will be responsible for recruitment, screening and training of new members when vacancies occur.
2. Professional Development Committee shall consist of at least two (2) members. They will be responsible to plan professional development to align with the school and district strategic plans and to file and post professional development opportunities at the appropriate place.
3. Communications Committee shall consist of at least two (2) members. They will survey the school community for their concerns and recommendations and report to SIT and the school. They will be responsible for disseminating publicity about school events to the public.
4. Climate Committee shall consist of at least two (2) members. They will plan and implement school-wide activities to boost morale of both students and faculty.
5. Safety Committee shall consist of at least two (2) members. They will oversee all issues concerning school safety and make recommendations to SIT and the Leadership.
6. Grant Committee shall consist of at least two (2) members. They will review existing grants in the school and coordinate efforts in obtaining additional funding.
7. Data Committee shall consist of at least two (2) members. They will examine all types of data and report recommendations to the professional development committee and help with revision of the SIP.

2. Ad hoc committees will be formed at the discretion of the SIT throughout the year. These will include a Nomination Committee to find replacements for the chairperson, vice-chairperson and recorder as the positions become vacant.

9. Meetings:

1. Meetings will be held at least once a month at a time and location to be agreed upon by the end of the school year for the following year unless other arrangements have been made and announced. Dates and times will be determined in advance by the consensus of the SIT. Meetings will have a maximum time limit of two (2) hours, unless the SIT agrees to extend that time.
2. Nature of meetings:

1. Meetings will be open.
2. The presence of ten (10) members will constitute a quorum. A quorum must be present to conduct a meeting.
3. Public forums shall be provided for five (5) minutes at each meeting unless the team agrees to adjust the time.
4. Any individual or group can address the SIT by making a formal request in writing at least two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled meeting. The item will be added to the agenda.

a. The SIT may waive the two (2) week request requirement.

3. The School Administration, due to school closure, inclement weather or unforeseen emergencies shall cancel the meetings.

10. Decision Making:

Decisions shall be made through consensus.

11. Training Process (New Members):

1. A SIT notebook shall be available in the library and shall include:

1. District and Middle School updated strategic plans.
2. SIT By-laws.
3. Informational handouts.
4. Copies of the SIT meeting minutes.

2. A current member of the SIT shall be appointed by the membership committee to assist with the orientation of new members.
3. Each member will have an up-dated SIT notebook.
4. Any member who resigns will be asked to return their notebook so that it may be passed on to the next member.

12. Amendments:

1. Anyone who is a member of the SIT can propose an amendment to the by-laws in writing. A written rationale must accompany an amendment proposal.
2. The proposed amendment will be introduced and put on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting.
3. The amendment must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the SIT.