Collaborative School Committee (CSC)

To provide the CSC committee with an established set of rules and procedures under which to most effectively function.  In addition to these bylaws, the CSC will function within Board of Education Policy BDF-R4 which in many instances specifies CSC committee requirements and functions, and the Agreement between the Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA) and the Denver Public School District, hereafter referred to as the Agreement.

The purpose and scope of CSC is now found in Board of Education Policy BDF-R4 of the DPS/DCTA Agreement.

The purpose and scope of the Collaborative School Committee (CSC) shall be to focus on the Unified Improvement Plan as its primary responsibility at the school based on the “Multiple Measures”.

These are district-established indicators of individual school performance and data in the following areas:  attendance, graduation-rate, school leadership, instructional quality, student respect, school safety, and other measures such as the School Accountability Rating.

In particular the CSC will work to provide guidance, evaluation, and recommendations regarding staffing allocations as it relates to the UIP, school budget, and school program design, including consultation regarding adjustments that may be made due to pupil-count issues.

to use evaluation tools and systems using a variety of longitudinal measures or the School Performance Framework to determine student achievement, overall organizational strength, school’s accreditation ratings for reporting to the CDE and to provide input to the teacher and principal compensation.

to enhance student achievement and school climate by engaging the school community in collaborative efforts supporting the school and district’s goals;

to provide strategic direction in support of the school’s mission and vision as stated in the Unified Improvement Plan (UIP). The UIP with the school’s program design, should serve as the strategic plan for the school;

to be in compliance with state and federal law, regulations of the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), applicable U.S. District Court orders, the District Affirmative Action plan, the DPS/DCTA Agreement, other contracts and District mandates;

Membership
Selection for membership should be through volunteers.  Elections should be held every two years.  The composition of the CSC committee should be, at a minimum, as follows:

• The principal of the school or principal’s designee;
• One (1) teachers, elected by majority vote of the faculty in the school (elected by secret ballot);
• Three (3) parents or guardians of a student enrolled in the school, elected by majority of voting parents with children in the school;
• One (1) adult member of an organization of parents, teachers and students recognized by the school; nominated by a member of the CSC and approved by the other members of the CSC;
• One (1) business/employer or community representative from the local community nominated by a member of the CSC and approved by the other members of the CSC;

Member Diversity
The diversity of the school student population should be represented in the CSC committee membership.

Terms
CSC committee members are elected to a one or two-year term.  Members may be elected to no more than three (3) successive terms.  Staggered terms may be used to promote continuity.

Date
Election of CSC committee members should be held (e.g. within the first two weeks of school, or during the month of May for the following school year)

Nominations
Persons nominated for the CSC committee must adhere to and sign a nomination form.  Nomination forms will clearly state due-dates and must be in the office by the date and time specified.  The CSC committee will be notified; the ballots will be prepared and sent to the appropriate constituents.

Election

• The reason a candidate wishes to serve on the CSC should appear on the ballot
• Parent ballots are sent home with the students
• Certificated-Staff ballots are distributed through inter-school mail
• One vote per household permitted
• All ballots must be returned to the school by the due date and time, and placed in the ballot box located in the office
• The CSC Committee will count the ballots
• All ballots will be kept on file for a period of one year following the election
• Electronic ballot is an allowable option

Transition of New Members
Orientation for new members should include the following:

• Copy of the CSC Handbook
• Copy of the bylaws and procedures
• The current Unified Improvement Plan
• Participation in CSC training

Vacancies
If a vacancy occurs during the school year, the remaining members of the CSC shall fill the vacancy by majority vote (remaining CSC members should look to fill the vacancy with a representative of the constituent group that the vacating member represented).  Upon completion of his/her vacancy term, he/she may be re-elected for a full term.  The vacancy term served will not be counted as a successive term.  In case of vacancy of the Business Representative position, a CSC committee member will recommend a business representative to the remaining CSC committee members for approval.

Attendance
If a CSC committee member accumulated three consecutive unexcused meeting absences during the school year, this should be grounds for removal from the committee.  However, under extenuating circumstances each situation should be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Removal
If a CSC committee member fails to comply with these bylaws, procedures or rules and regulations of the CSC Committee, or the district, this failure should be grounds for removal from the CSC Committee.

Recall
If a CSC committee member was elected or chosen by a constituency group (parents, teachers, community representative, adult member of school recognized organization, classified member or students) that member may be recalled using the following process:

Step 6. The standard process for election will be followed for replacing the CSC member for the remainder of the individual’s term. 

Step 1. A constituent from that group contacts the CSC to inform them of their intent to recall the member

Step 2. The constituent circulates a petition to call for a recall election.  The required number of names for a petition to be valid will be 50% of the eligible voters for a teacher or classified member, and 50% of the actual number of votes cast by the parents in the elections for a parent representative.

Step 3. The constituent presents the petition for recall, with the required number of signatures, to the CSC.

Step 4. The CSC will ensure that a recall election takes place.

Step 5. The CSC member will be recalled by a majority vote.