By-Laws of the Acton and Boxborough Special Education Parent Advisory Council

May 2, 2006

ARTICLE 1 NAME:

The name of this organization shall be: 
THE ACTON AND BOXBOROUGH SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL.

ARTICLE 2 PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Organization shall be:

1)      Improve communication among parents/guardians, staff, administrators (both within and outside of the district), and the School Committee on special education issues.

2)      Serve as a resource and support network for parents/guardians of children with special needs regarding procedures, educational, and non-educational issues,

3)      Provide input, develop policy, and advise the Acton and Boxborough Schools on special education issues, e.g., planning, development, and evaluation of programs.

4)      Serve as advocates for equal educational opportunities for all special needs children.

ARTICLE 3 MEMBERSHIP:

1. General membership shall be open to the public.
   

2. Voting memberships shall be any general member who is a parent or a guardian of a child, either residing in or attending school in Acton or Boxborough.  Voting membership is required to vote in annual officer elections and all other business that come before any A/B SpEd PAC meeting.
   

3. Voting at general meetings shall be limited to those in attendance.

ARTICLE 4 EXECUTIVE BOARD:

Section I: Membership

1. Officers of the PAC shall be the chairperson, secretary, and treasurer.  All positions may be shared by two individuals, except the chair, which can be shared by three individuals.

2. The Executive Board shall consist of voting and non-voting members.  The voting members will include all officers of the PAC and one chairperson of one standing committee, and one Past PAC Chairperson.  Non-voting members may include representatives from each of the following:  Special Education Administrations, Local School Committees, and Regional School Committees.

Section II:  Duties 

Duties of officers of the Executive Board shall be as follows:

1. Chairperson(s)
   a. Preside at all meetings of the organization and meetings of the Executive Board.
   b. Execute and supervise responsibilities related to contracts and      agreements in the organization's behalf, and sign any such contracts and agreements on behalf of the Executive Board.
   c. Oversee the functioning of the PAC committees, special projects, and events.

2. Treasurer(s)
   a. Preside over financial matter that may arise and report at all meetings.

3. Secretary(s)
   a. Keep the minutes of the meetings of the Executive Board and of general PAC meetins.
   b. Maintain the organization's records, including a current membership list.
   c. Keep and disseminate minutes.

4. Standing Committee Chairpersons (Program Development, Parent Support, Resource/Information, Legislative Issues, Liaison Coordinator)

5. Standing Committee Chairpersons 
   a.       Recruit members and hold committee meetings, as necessary.
   b.      Provide annual objectives to the Executive Board at the beginning of the year.
   c.       Report committee activities to the Executive Board and the full membership.

6. Past PAC Chairperson 
   a.       Advise PAC Chairperson(s) on ongoing issues of organizational concern.
   b.      Provide continuity and support to the PAC Chairperson(s).

ARTICLE 5  ELECTIONS:

All voting Executive Board members shall be elected at the Annual meeting in the spring.

ARTICLE 6  MEETINGS:

Section I:  A schedule of meetings shall be determined and published by the Executive Board.

Section II: At any PAC meeting, five voting members must be present to constitute a quorum for business requiring a vote.

ARTICLE 7  AMENDMENTS:

These By-laws may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the voting membership present at any Business Meeting, provided that written notice of the proposed amendments be given prior to the meeting.