FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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CHARLIE CRIST
Commissioner
May 29, 2002
MEMORANDUM
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TO:
District School Superintendents
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FROM:
Betty Coxe
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BETTY COXE
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
CONTACT PERSON
NAME:
PHONE:
SUNCOM:
EMAIL:
DPS:
Mary Jane Tappen
(850) 414-9892
994-9892
mtappen@mailer.fsu.edu
02-105
SUBJECT:
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Newly Enacted CS/House Bill 1661 amending section 229.58, Florida
Statutes, adding requirements for school advisory councils.
Enacted in the regular session, 2002 CS/House Bill 1661 (enclosed) amends section 229.58,
Florida Statutes, by adding process requirements to the duties of each school advisory council in
each district. Councils are now required to adopt bylaws that may be reviewed by the local
school board and that include some specificity regarding council membership and how meetings
must be noticed.
This bill delineates the legislative expectation that all school advisory councils in the state will
have bylaws that establish specific requirements or procedures.
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Votes may only be taken if a quorum is present. (A quorum is defined as a majority of the
membership of the council.)
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At least a three-day written, advance notice must be given to all council members when a
matter is coming before the council that requires a vote.
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Meetings should be scheduled when all stakeholders can attend.
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Members with two unexcused consecutive absences from a properly noticed meeting should
be replaced.
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Meetings must have minutes recorded
PLAZA LEVEL – 08, THE CAPITOL – TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0400 – (850) 413-0555 – FAX (850) 488-2869
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An affirmative action/equal opportunity employer
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DPS Memorandum
May 29, 2002
Page Two
Further, district school boards may review each set of bylaws. They are not required to approve
them, but must maintain a record of the minutes of council meetings for each of their schools.
School districts need to inform all schools of this requirement and set up procedures for
compliance by each council. The review of bylaws could be handled at regular meetings under a
timeframe locally designated. The maintenance of a record of the minutes for each SAC may
require additional storage space or media in some of the larger districts.
Schools need to ensure that bylaws were developed and forwarded for review. Additionally, the
bylaws would need to be followed to ensure appropriate procedures were followed when
conducting the business of the SACs.
School Advisory Councils (SACs) continue to be a key component of Florida’s system of school
improvement and accountability. Currently section 229.58, F.S., requires each school board to
establish school advisory councils or district advisory councils if the district has fewer than
10,000 students. In addition, each SAC shall be composed of the school’s principal and an
appropriately balanced number of teachers, education support employees, students, parents, and
other business and community citizens who are representative of the ethnic, racial, and economic
community served by the school.
Section 229.58(2), F.S., also specifies that each SAC shall perform such functions as are
prescribed by regulations of the school board; however, no SAC shall have any of the powers
and duties now reserved by law for the school board. SACs assist in preparing and evaluating the
school improvement plan (SIP), and shall provide assistance in the preparation of the school’s
annual budget. SIPs are locally developed “blueprints” for achieving the state education goals
and student performance standards.
A portion of the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (lottery money) is distributed to each
school (through their districts) for the SAC to use for programs and projects to enhance school
performance through the implementation of the SIP. The money may not be used for capital
improvements or for projects or programs with a duration of more than one-year. A principal
may not override the selection of the use of the money.
The clearly earmarked amount in the
General Appropriations Act (since 1997) for discretionary use by SACs is currently ten dollars
per unweighted FTE student.
Resources for support to SACs with the implementation of this bill include “Florida’s Sunshine
Law,” where SACs must comply with the open meetings requirements, and “Robert’s Rule of
Order, Revised,” which is considered as the standard for conducting public assemblies in the
United States.
PLAZA LEVEL – 08, THE CAPITOL – TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0400 – (850) 413-0555 – FAX (850) 488-2869
€
http:/www.firn.edu/doe
€
An affirmative action/equal opportunity employer
€
DPS Memorandum
May 29, 2002
Page Three
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Florida Attorney General’s Florida Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, at
http://legal.firn.edu/sunshine/ which includes:
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About the Sunshine Law
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Frequently Asked Questions About Florida's Sunshine Law
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View and search Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual
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Download an abridged Electronic Edition of the Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual
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How to obtain a published copy of Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual
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Open Government Mediation Program
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“Robert's Rules of Order Revised,” by General Henry M. Robert,
http://www.constitution.org/rror/rror--00.htm
Bylaw Tips
Bylaws are the ground rules which school advisory council members agree to follow. They give
structure to the meeting process, but SAC meetings focus on the SIP and student achievement. Listed
below are guidelines for writing bylaws:
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They should be brief, but complete.
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They should be simply written and understandable to all.
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They should not try to cover every possible problem that might arise.
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They should state clearly who on the council is responsible for what.
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They should give enough authority to the School Advisory Council Chairperson so he or she can act.
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They should be in compliance with Florida statutes.
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They should be available to all SAC members.
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A minimal list of sections that are recommended for School and District Advisory Council bylaws
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includes:
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Name of School Advisory Council
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Purpose of School Advisory Council (see s. 229.58, F.S.)
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Membership (see s. 229.58, F.S.)
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Officers: elections (see s. 229.58, F.S.), terms, and duties
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Meetings: scheduling and notice (see s. 229.58, F.S.)
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Parliamentary Procedures (see “Robert's Rules of Order Revised”)
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Voting: quorum (see s. 229.58, F.S. and “Robert's Rules of Order Revised” )
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Standing and Special Committees
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Replacement of Members: leaving members, attendance requirements (see s. 229.58, F.S.)
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Utilization of School Improvement Funds (see General Appropriations Act)
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Amendments
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BC/mjt
Enclosure
PLAZA LEVEL – 08, THE CAPITOL – TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0400 – (850) 413-0555 – FAX (850) 488-2869
€
http:/www.firn.edu/doe
€
An affirmative action/equal opportunity employer
€
