Rep. Marlow H. Colvin

Filed: 3/2/2011

 

 


 

 


 
09700HB1851ham001LRB097 08974 NHT 51710 a

1
AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 1851

2    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 1851 by replacing
3everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
4    "Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
534-2.1, 34-2.2, and 34-2.3 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/34-2.1)  (from Ch. 122, par. 34-2.1)
7    Sec. 34-2.1. Local School Councils - Composition -
8Voter-Eligibility - Elections - Terms.
9    (a) A local school council shall be established for each
10attendance center within the school district.
11        (1) Prior to the 2012-2013 school year, each Each local
12    school council shall consist of the following 11 12 voting
13    members: the principal of the attendance center, 2 teachers
14    employed and assigned to perform the majority of their
15    employment duties at the attendance center, 6 parents of
16    students currently enrolled at the attendance center, one

 

 

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1    employee of the school district employed and assigned to
2    perform the majority of his or her employment duties at the
3    attendance center who is not a teacher, and 2 community
4    residents. In each secondary attendance center, the local
5    school council shall consist of 12 voting members, the 11
6    voting members described in this paragraph (1) and one
7    full-time student member, appointed as provided in
8    subsection (m) of this Section.
9        (2) Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, each
10    local school council shall consist of the following 13
11    voting members: the principal of the attendance center, 2
12    teachers employed and assigned to perform the majority of
13    their employment duties at the attendance center, 7 parents
14    of students currently enrolled at the attendance center,
15    one employee of the school district employed and assigned
16    to perform the majority of his or her employment duties at
17    the attendance center who is not a teacher, and 2 community
18    residents. In each secondary attendance center, the local
19    school council shall consist of 14 voting members, the 13
20    voting members described in this paragraph (2) and one
21    full-time student member, appointed as provided in
22    subsection (m) of this Section.
23        (3) Neither the parents nor the community residents who
24    serve as members of the local school council shall be
25    employees of the Board of Education. The non-teacher
26    employee must be a member of a collective bargaining unit.

 

 

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1    In each secondary attendance center, the local school
2    council shall consist of 13 voting members -- the 12 voting
3    members described above and one full-time student member,
4    appointed as provided in subsection (m) below. In the event
5    that the chief executive officer of the Chicago School
6    Reform Board of Trustees determines that a local school
7    council is not carrying out its financial duties
8    effectively, the chief executive officer is authorized to
9    appoint a representative of the business community with
10    experience in finance and management to serve as an advisor
11    to the local school council for the purpose of providing
12    advice and assistance to the local school council on fiscal
13    matters. The advisor shall have access to relevant
14    financial records of the local school council. The advisor
15    may attend executive sessions. The chief executive officer
16    shall issue a written policy defining the circumstances
17    under which a local school council is not carrying out its
18    financial duties effectively.
19    (b) Within 7 days of January 11, 1991, the Mayor shall
20appoint the members and officers (a Chairperson who shall be a
21parent member and a Secretary) of each local school council who
22shall hold their offices until their successors shall be
23elected and qualified. Members so appointed shall have all the
24powers and duties of local school councils as set forth in this
25amendatory Act of 1991. The Mayor's appointments shall not
26require approval by the City Council.

 

 

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1    The membership of each local school council shall be
2encouraged to be reflective of the racial and ethnic
3composition of the student population of the attendance center
4served by the local school council.
5    (c) Beginning with the 1995-1996 school year and in every
6even-numbered year thereafter, the Board shall set second
7semester Parent Report Card Pick-up Day for Local School
8Council elections and may schedule elections at year-round
9schools for the same dates as the remainder of the school
10system. Elections shall be conducted as provided herein by the
11Board of Education in consultation with the local school
12council at each attendance center.
13    (d) Beginning with the 2011-2012 1995-96 school year, the
14following procedures shall apply to the election of local
15school council members at each attendance center:
16        (i) The elected members of each local school council
17    shall consist of the 7 6 parent members and the 2 community
18    resident members.
19        (ii) Each elected member shall be elected by the
20    eligible voters of that attendance center to serve for a
21    two-year term commencing on July 1 immediately following
22    the election described in subsection (c). Eligible voters
23    for each attendance center shall consist of the parents and
24    community residents for that attendance center.
25        (iii) Each eligible voter shall be entitled to cast one
26    vote for up to a total of 5 candidates, irrespective of

 

 

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1    whether such candidates are parent or community resident
2    candidates.
3        (iv) Each parent voter shall be entitled to vote in the
4    local school council election at each attendance center in
5    which he or she has a child currently enrolled. Each
6    community resident voter shall be entitled to vote in the
7    local school council election at each attendance center for
8    which he or she resides in the applicable attendance area
9    or voting district, as the case may be.
10        (v) Each eligible voter shall be entitled to vote once,
11    but not more than once, in the local school council
12    election at each attendance center at which the voter is
13    eligible to vote.
14        (vi) The 2 teacher members and the non-teacher employee
15    member of each local school council shall be appointed as
16    provided in subsection (l) below each to serve for a
17    two-year term coinciding with that of the elected parent
18    and community resident members.
19        (vii) At secondary attendance centers, the voting
20    student member shall be appointed as provided in subsection
21    (m) below to serve for a one-year term coinciding with the
22    beginning of the terms of the elected parent and community
23    members of the local school council.
24    (e) The Council shall publicize the date and place of the
25election by posting notices at the attendance center, in public
26places within the attendance boundaries of the attendance

 

 

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1center and by distributing notices to the pupils at the
2attendance center, and shall utilize such other means as it
3deems necessary to maximize the involvement of all eligible
4voters.
5    (f) Nomination. The Council shall publicize the opening of
6nominations by posting notices at the attendance center, in
7public places within the attendance boundaries of the
8attendance center and by distributing notices to the pupils at
9the attendance center, and shall utilize such other means as it
10deems necessary to maximize the involvement of all eligible
11voters. Not less than 2 weeks before the election date, persons
12eligible to run for the Council shall submit their name, date
13of birth, social security number, if available, and some
14evidence of eligibility to the Council. The Council shall
15encourage nomination of candidates reflecting the
16racial/ethnic population of the students at the attendance
17center. Each person nominated who runs as a candidate shall
18disclose, in a manner determined by the Board, any economic
19interest held by such person, by such person's spouse or
20children, or by each business entity in which such person has
21an ownership interest, in any contract with the Board, any
22local school council or any public school in the school
23district. Each person nominated who runs as a candidate shall
24also disclose, in a manner determined by the Board, if he or
25she ever has been convicted of any of the offenses specified in
26subsection (c) of Section 34-18.5; provided that neither this

 

 

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1provision nor any other provision of this Section shall be
2deemed to require the disclosure of any information that is
3contained in any law enforcement record or juvenile court
4record that is confidential or whose accessibility or
5disclosure is restricted or prohibited under Section 5-901 or
65-905 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Failure to make such
7disclosure shall render a person ineligible for election or to
8serve on the local school council. The same disclosure shall be
9required of persons under consideration for appointment to the
10Council pursuant to subsections (l) and (m) of this Section.
11    (f-5) Notwithstanding disclosure, a person who has been
12convicted of any of the following offenses at any time shall be
13ineligible for election or appointment to a local school
14council and ineligible for appointment to a local school
15council pursuant to subsections (l) and (m) of this Section:
16(i) those defined in Section 11-6, 11-9.1, 11-16, 11-17.1,
1711-19, 11-19.1, 11-19.2, 11-20.1, 12-13, 12-14, 12-14.1,
1812-15, or 12-16 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or (ii) any
19offense committed or attempted in any other state or against
20the laws of the United States, which, if committed or attempted
21in this State, would have been punishable as one or more of the
22foregoing offenses. Notwithstanding disclosure, a person who
23has been convicted of any of the following offenses within the
2410 years previous to the date of nomination or appointment
25shall be ineligible for election or appointment to a local
26school council: (i) those defined in Section 401.1, 405.1, or

 

 

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1405.2 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act or (ii) any
2offense committed or attempted in any other state or against
3the laws of the United States, which, if committed or attempted
4in this State, would have been punishable as one or more of the
5foregoing offenses.
6    Immediately upon election or appointment, incoming local
7school council members shall be required to undergo a criminal
8background investigation, to be completed prior to the member
9taking office, in order to identify any criminal convictions
10under the offenses enumerated in Section 34-18.5. The
11investigation shall be conducted by the Department of State
12Police in the same manner as provided for in Section 34-18.5.
13However, notwithstanding Section 34-18.5, the social security
14number shall be provided only if available. If it is determined
15at any time that a local school council member or member-elect
16has been convicted of any of the offenses enumerated in this
17Section or failed to disclose a conviction of any of the
18offenses enumerated in Section 34-18.5, the general
19superintendent shall notify the local school council member or
20member-elect of such determination and the local school council
21member or member-elect shall be removed from the local school
22council by the Board, subject to a hearing, convened pursuant
23to Board rule, prior to removal.
24    (g) At least one week before the election date, the Council
25shall publicize, in the manner provided in subsection (e), the
26names of persons nominated for election.

 

 

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1    (h) Voting shall be in person by secret ballot at the
2attendance center between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
3    (i) Candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall
4be declared elected by the Council. In cases of a tie, the
5Council shall determine the winner by lot.
6    (j) The Council shall certify the results of the election
7and shall publish the results in the minutes of the Council.
8    (k) The general superintendent shall resolve any disputes
9concerning election procedure or results and shall ensure that,
10except as provided in subsections (e) and (g), no resources of
11any attendance center shall be used to endorse or promote any
12candidate.
13    (l) Beginning with the 1995-1996 school year and in every
14even numbered year thereafter, the Board shall appoint 2
15teacher members to each local school council. Beginning with
16the 2011-2012 school year and in every even-numbered year
17thereafter, the Board shall appoint one non-teacher employee
18member to each local school council. These appointments shall
19be made in the following manner:
20        (i) The Board shall appoint 2 teachers who are employed
21    and assigned to perform the majority of their employment
22    duties at the attendance center to serve on the local
23    school council of the attendance center for a two-year term
24    coinciding with the terms of the elected parent and
25    community members of that local school council. These
26    appointments shall be made from among those teachers who

 

 

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1    are nominated in accordance with subsection (f) of this
2    Section. Beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, the
3    Board shall appoint one non-teacher employee who is
4    employed and assigned to perform the majority of his or her
5    employment duties at the attendance center to serve on the
6    local school council of the attendance center for a 2-year
7    term coinciding with the terms of the elected parent and
8    community members of that local school council. This
9    appointment must be made from among those non-teacher
10    employees who are nominated in accordance with subsection
11    (f) of this Section.
12        (ii) A non-binding, advisory poll to ascertain the
13    preferences of the school staff regarding appointments of
14    teachers and a non-teacher employee to the local school
15    council for that attendance center shall be conducted in
16    accordance with the procedures used to elect parent and
17    community Council representatives. At such poll, each
18    member of the school staff shall be entitled to indicate
19    his or her preference for up to 2 candidates from among
20    those who submitted statements of candidacy as described
21    above. These preferences shall be advisory only and the
22    Board shall maintain absolute discretion to appoint
23    teacher and non-teacher employee members to local school
24    councils, irrespective of the preferences expressed in any
25    such poll.
26        (iii) In the event that a teacher or non-teacher

 

 

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1    employee representative is unable to perform his or her
2    employment duties at the school due to illness, disability,
3    leave of absence, disciplinary action, or any other reason,
4    the Board shall declare a temporary vacancy and appoint a
5    replacement teacher or non-teacher employee representative
6    to serve on the local school council until such time as the
7    teacher member originally appointed pursuant to this
8    subsection (l) resumes service at the attendance center or
9    for the remainder of the term. The replacement teacher
10    representative shall be appointed in the same manner and by
11    the same procedures as teacher and non-teacher employee
12    representatives are appointed in subdivisions (i) and (ii)
13    of this subsection (l).
14    (m) Beginning with the 1995-1996 school year, and in every
15year thereafter, the Board shall appoint one student member to
16each secondary attendance center. These appointments shall be
17made in the following manner:
18        (i) Appointments shall be made from among those
19    students who submit statements of candidacy to the
20    principal of the attendance center, such statements to be
21    submitted commencing on the first day of the twentieth week
22    of school and continuing for 2 weeks thereafter. The form
23    and manner of such candidacy statements shall be determined
24    by the Board.
25        (ii) During the twenty-second week of school in every
26    year, the principal of each attendance center shall conduct

 

 

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1    a non-binding, advisory poll to ascertain the preferences
2    of the school students regarding the appointment of a
3    student to the local school council for that attendance
4    center. At such poll, each student shall be entitled to
5    indicate his or her preference for up to one candidate from
6    among those who submitted statements of candidacy as
7    described above. The Board shall promulgate rules to ensure
8    that these non-binding, advisory polls are conducted in a
9    fair and equitable manner and maximize the involvement of
10    all school students. The preferences expressed in these
11    non-binding, advisory polls shall be transmitted by the
12    principal to the Board. However, these preferences shall be
13    advisory only and the Board shall maintain absolute
14    discretion to appoint student members to local school
15    councils, irrespective of the preferences expressed in any
16    such poll.
17        (iii) For the 1995-96 school year only, appointments
18    shall be made from among those students who submitted
19    statements of candidacy to the principal of the attendance
20    center during the first 2 weeks of the school year. The
21    principal shall communicate the results of any nonbinding,
22    advisory poll to the Board. These results shall be advisory
23    only, and the Board shall maintain absolute discretion to
24    appoint student members to local school councils,
25    irrespective of the preferences expressed in any such poll.
26    (n) The Board may promulgate such other rules and

 

 

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1regulations for election procedures as may be deemed necessary
2to ensure fair elections.
3    (o) In the event that a vacancy occurs during a member's
4term, the Council shall appoint a person eligible to serve on
5the Council, to fill the unexpired term created by the vacancy,
6except that any teacher or non-teacher employee vacancy shall
7be filled by the Board after considering the preferences of the
8school staff as ascertained through a non-binding advisory poll
9of school staff.
10    (p) If less than the specified number of persons is elected
11within each candidate category, the newly elected local school
12council shall appoint eligible persons to serve as members of
13the Council for two-year terms.
14    (q) The Board shall promulgate rules regarding conflicts of
15interest and disclosure of economic interests which shall apply
16to local school council members and which shall require reports
17or statements to be filed by Council members at regular
18intervals with the Secretary of the Board. Failure to comply
19with such rules or intentionally falsifying such reports shall
20be grounds for disqualification from local school council
21membership. A vacancy on the Council for disqualification may
22be so declared by the Secretary of the Board. Rules regarding
23conflicts of interest and disclosure of economic interests
24promulgated by the Board shall apply to local school council
25members. No less than 45 days prior to the deadline, the
26general superintendent shall provide notice, by mail, to each

 

 

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1local school council member of all requirements and forms for
2compliance with economic interest statements.
3    (r) (1) If a parent member of a local school council ceases
4to have any child enrolled in the attendance center governed by
5the Local School Council due to the graduation or voluntary
6transfer of a child or children from the attendance center, the
7parent's membership on the Local School Council and all voting
8rights are terminated immediately as of the date of the child's
9graduation or voluntary transfer. If the child of a parent
10member of a local school council dies during the member's term
11in office, the member may continue to serve on the local school
12council for the balance of his or her term. Further, a local
13school council member may be removed from the Council by a
14majority vote of the Council as provided in subsection (c) of
15Section 34-2.2 if the Council member has missed 3 consecutive
16regular meetings, not including committee meetings, or 5
17regular meetings in a 12 month period, not including committee
18meetings. If a parent member of a local school council ceases
19to be eligible to serve on the Council for any other reason, he
20or she shall be removed by the Board subject to a hearing,
21convened pursuant to Board rule, prior to removal. A vote to
22remove a Council member by the local school council shall only
23be valid if the Council member has been notified personally or
24by certified mail, mailed to the person's last known address,
25of the Council's intent to vote on the Council member's removal
26at least 7 days prior to the vote. The Council member in

 

 

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1question shall have the right to explain his or her actions and
2shall be eligible to vote on the question of his or her removal
3from the Council. The provisions of this subsection shall be
4contained within the petitions used to nominate Council
5candidates.
6    (2) A person may continue to serve as a community resident
7member of a local school council as long as he or she resides
8in the attendance area served by the school and is not employed
9by the Board nor is a parent of a student enrolled at the
10school. If a community resident member ceases to be eligible to
11serve on the Council, he or she shall be removed by the Board
12subject to a hearing, convened pursuant to Board rule, prior to
13removal.
14    (3) A person may continue to serve as a teacher or
15non-teacher employee member of a local school council as long
16as he or she is employed and assigned to perform a majority of
17his or her duties at the school, provided that if the teacher
18or non-teacher employee representative resigns from employment
19with the Board or voluntarily transfers to another school, that
20person's the teacher's membership on the local school council
21and all voting rights are terminated immediately as of the date
22of his or her the teacher's resignation or upon the date of
23that member's the teacher's voluntary transfer to another
24school. If a teacher or non-teacher employee member of a local
25school council ceases to be eligible to serve on a local school
26council for any other reason, that member shall be removed by

 

 

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1the Board subject to a hearing, convened pursuant to Board
2rule, prior to removal.
3(Source: P.A. 95-1015, eff. 12-15-08; 96-1412, eff. 1-1-11.)
 
4    (105 ILCS 5/34-2.2)  (from Ch. 122, par. 34-2.2)
5    Sec. 34-2.2. Local school councils - Manner of operation.
6    (a) The annual organizational meeting of each local school
7council shall be held at the attendance center. At the annual
8organization meeting, which shall be held no sooner than July 1
9and no later than July 14, a parent member of the local school
10council shall be selected by the members of such council as its
11chairperson, and a secretary shall be selected by the members
12of such council from among their number, each to serve a term
13of one year. Whenever a vacancy in the office of chairperson or
14secretary of a local school council shall occur, a new
15chairperson (who shall be a parent member) or secretary, as the
16case may be, shall be elected by the members of the local
17school council from among their number to serve as such
18chairperson or secretary for the unexpired term of office in
19which the vacancy occurs. At each annual organizational
20meeting, the time and place of any regular meetings of the
21local school council shall be fixed. Special meetings of the
22local school council may be called by the chairperson or by any
235 4 members by giving notice thereof in writing, specifying the
24time, place and purpose of the meeting. Public notice of
25meetings shall also be given in accordance with the Open

 

 

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1Meetings Act.
2    (b) Members and officers of the local school council shall
3serve without compensation and without reimbursement of any
4expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, except
5that the board of education may by rule establish a procedure
6and thereunder provide for reimbursement of members and
7officers of local school councils for such of their reasonable
8and necessary expenses (excluding any lodging or meal expenses)
9incurred in the performance of their duties as the board may
10deem appropriate.
11    (c) A majority of the full membership of the local school
12council shall constitute a quorum, and whenever a vote is taken
13on any measure before the local school council, a quorum being
14present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes of the
15full membership then serving of the local school council shall
16determine the outcome thereof; provided that whenever the
17measure before the local school council is (i) the evaluation
18of the principal, or (ii) the renewal of his or her performance
19contract or the inclusion of any provision or modification of
20the contract, or (iii) the direct selection by the local school
21council of a new principal (including a new principal to fill a
22vacancy) to serve under a 4 year performance contract, or (iv)
23the determination of the names of candidates to be submitted to
24the general superintendent for the position of principal, the
25principal and student member of a high school council shall not
26be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is

 

 

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1present to act on the measure and shall have no vote thereon;
2and provided further that 8 7 affirmative votes of the local
3school council shall be required for the direct selection by
4the local school council of a new principal to serve under a 4
5year performance contract but not for the renewal of a
6principal's performance contract.
7    (d) Student members of high school councils shall not be
8eligible to vote on personnel matters, including but not
9limited to principal evaluations and contracts and the
10allocation of teaching and staff resources.
11    (e) The local school council of an attendance center which
12provides bilingual education shall be encouraged to provide
13translators at each council meeting to maximize participation
14of parents and the community.
15    (f) Each local school council of an attendance center which
16provides bilingual education shall create a Bilingual Advisory
17Committee or recognize an existing Bilingual Advisory
18Committee as a standing committee. The Chair and a majority of
19the members of the advisory committee shall be parents of
20students in the bilingual education program. The parents on the
21advisory committee shall be selected by parents of students in
22the bilingual education program, and the committee shall select
23a Chair. The advisory committee for each secondary attendance
24center shall include at least one full-time bilingual education
25student. The Bilingual Advisory Committee shall serve only in
26an advisory capacity to the local school council.

 

 

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1    (g) Local school councils may utilize the services of an
2arbitration board to resolve intra-council disputes.
3(Source: P.A. 91-622, eff. 8-19-99.)
 
4    (105 ILCS 5/34-2.3)  (from Ch. 122, par. 34-2.3)
5    Sec. 34-2.3. Local school councils - Powers and duties.
6Each local school council shall have and exercise, consistent
7with the provisions of this Article and the powers and duties
8of the board of education, the following powers and duties:
9    1. (A) To annually evaluate the performance of the
10principal of the attendance center using a Board approved
11principal evaluation form, which shall include the evaluation
12of (i) student academic improvement, as defined by the school
13improvement plan, (ii) student absenteeism rates at the school,
14(iii) instructional leadership, (iv) the effective
15implementation of programs, policies, or strategies to improve
16student academic achievement, (v) school management, and (vi)
17any other factors deemed relevant by the local school council,
18including, without limitation, the principal's communication
19skills and ability to create and maintain a student-centered
20learning environment, to develop opportunities for
21professional development, and to encourage parental
22involvement and community partnerships to achieve school
23improvement;
24    (B) to determine in the manner provided by subsection (c)
25of Section 34-2.2 and subdivision 1.5 of this Section whether

 

 

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1the performance contract of the principal shall be renewed; and
2    (C) to directly select, in the manner provided by
3subsection (c) of Section 34-2.2, a new principal (including a
4new principal to fill a vacancy) -- without submitting any list
5of candidates for that position to the general superintendent
6as provided in paragraph 2 of this Section -- to serve under a
74 year performance contract; provided that (i) the
8determination of whether the principal's performance contract
9is to be renewed, based upon the evaluation required by
10subdivision 1.5 of this Section, shall be made no later than
11150 days prior to the expiration of the current
12performance-based contract of the principal, (ii) in cases
13where such performance contract is not renewed -- a direct
14selection of a new principal -- to serve under a 4 year
15performance contract shall be made by the local school council
16no later than 45 days prior to the expiration of the current
17performance contract of the principal, and (iii) a selection by
18the local school council of a new principal to fill a vacancy
19under a 4 year performance contract shall be made within 90
20days after the date such vacancy occurs. A Council shall be
21required, if requested by the principal, to provide in writing
22the reasons for the council's not renewing the principal's
23contract.
24    1.5. The local school council's determination of whether to
25renew the principal's contract shall be based on an evaluation
26to assess the educational and administrative progress made at

 

 

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1the school during the principal's current performance-based
2contract. The local school council shall base its evaluation on
3(i) student academic improvement, as defined by the school
4improvement plan, (ii) student absenteeism rates at the school,
5(iii) instructional leadership, (iv) the effective
6implementation of programs, policies, or strategies to improve
7student academic achievement, (v) school management, and (vi)
8any other factors deemed relevant by the local school council,
9including, without limitation, the principal's communication
10skills and ability to create and maintain a student-centered
11learning environment, to develop opportunities for
12professional development, and to encourage parental
13involvement and community partnerships to achieve school
14improvement. If a local school council fails to renew the
15performance contract of a principal rated by the general
16superintendent, or his or her designee, in the previous years'
17evaluations as meeting or exceeding expectations, the
18principal, within 15 days after the local school council's
19decision not to renew the contract, may request a review of the
20local school council's principal non-retention decision by a
21hearing officer appointed by the American Arbitration
22Association. A local school council member or members or the
23general superintendent may support the principal's request for
24review. During the period of the hearing officer's review of
25the local school council's decision on whether or not to retain
26the principal, the local school council shall maintain all

 

 

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1authority to search for and contract with a person to serve as
2interim or acting principal, or as the principal of the
3attendance center under a 4-year performance contract,
4provided that any performance contract entered into by the
5local school council shall be voidable or modified in
6accordance with the decision of the hearing officer. The
7principal may request review only once while at that attendance
8center. If a local school council renews the contract of a
9principal who failed to obtain a rating of "meets" or "exceeds
10expectations" in the general superintendent's evaluation for
11the previous year, the general superintendent, within 15 days
12after the local school council's decision to renew the
13contract, may request a review of the local school council's
14principal retention decision by a hearing officer appointed by
15the American Arbitration Association. The general
16superintendent may request a review only once for that
17principal at that attendance center. All requests to review the
18retention or non-retention of a principal shall be submitted to
19the general superintendent, who shall, in turn, forward such
20requests, within 14 days of receipt, to the American
21Arbitration Association. The general superintendent shall send
22a contemporaneous copy of the request that was forwarded to the
23American Arbitration Association to the principal and to each
24local school council member and shall inform the local school
25council of its rights and responsibilities under the
26arbitration process, including the local school council's

 

 

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1right to representation and the manner and process by which the
2Board shall pay the costs of the council's representation. If
3the local school council retains the principal and the general
4superintendent requests a review of the retention decision, the
5local school council and the general superintendent shall be
6considered parties to the arbitration, a hearing officer shall
7be chosen between those 2 parties pursuant to procedures
8promulgated by the State Board of Education, and the principal
9may retain counsel and participate in the arbitration. If the
10local school council does not retain the principal and the
11principal requests a review of the retention decision, the
12local school council and the principal shall be considered
13parties to the arbitration and a hearing officer shall be
14chosen between those 2 parties pursuant to procedures
15promulgated by the State Board of Education. The hearing shall
16begin (i) within 45 days after the initial request for review
17is submitted by the principal to the general superintendent or
18(ii) if the initial request for review is made by the general
19superintendent, within 45 days after that request is mailed to
20the American Arbitration Association. The hearing officer
21shall render a decision within 45 days after the hearing begins
22and within 90 days after the initial request for review. The
23Board shall contract with the American Arbitration Association
24for all of the hearing officer's reasonable and necessary
25costs. In addition, the Board shall pay any reasonable costs
26incurred by a local school council for representation before a

 

 

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1hearing officer.
2    1.10. The hearing officer shall conduct a hearing, which
3shall include (i) a review of the principal's performance,
4evaluations, and other evidence of the principal's service at
5the school, (ii) reasons provided by the local school council
6for its decision, and (iii) documentation evidencing views of
7interested persons, including, without limitation, students,
8parents, local school council members, school faculty and
9staff, the principal, the general superintendent or his or her
10designee, and members of the community. The burden of proof in
11establishing that the local school council's decision was
12arbitrary and capricious shall be on the party requesting the
13arbitration, and this party shall sustain the burden by a
14preponderance of the evidence. The hearing officer shall set
15the local school council decision aside if that decision, in
16light of the record developed at the hearing, is arbitrary and
17capricious. The decision of the hearing officer may not be
18appealed to the Board or the State Board of Education. If the
19hearing officer decides that the principal shall be retained,
20the retention period shall not exceed 2 years.
21    2. In the event (i) the local school council does not renew
22the performance contract of the principal, or the principal
23fails to receive a satisfactory rating as provided in
24subsection (h) of Section 34-8.3, or the principal is removed
25for cause during the term of his or her performance contract in
26the manner provided by Section 34-85, or a vacancy in the

 

 

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1position of principal otherwise occurs prior to the expiration
2of the term of a principal's performance contract, and (ii) the
3local school council fails to directly select a new principal
4to serve under a 4 year performance contract, the local school
5council in such event shall submit to the general
6superintendent a list of 3 candidates -- listed in the local
7school council's order of preference -- for the position of
8principal, one of which shall be selected by the general
9superintendent to serve as principal of the attendance center.
10If the general superintendent fails or refuses to select one of
11the candidates on the list to serve as principal within 30 days
12after being furnished with the candidate list, the general
13superintendent shall select and place a principal on an interim
14basis (i) for a period not to exceed one year or (ii) until the
15local school council selects a new principal with 8 7
16affirmative votes as provided in subsection (c) of Section
1734-2.2, whichever occurs first. If the local school council
18fails or refuses to select and appoint a new principal, as
19specified by subsection (c) of Section 34-2.2, the general
20superintendent may select and appoint a new principal on an
21interim basis for an additional year or until a new contract
22principal is selected by the local school council. There shall
23be no discrimination on the basis of race, sex, creed, color or
24disability unrelated to ability to perform in connection with
25the submission of candidates for, and the selection of a
26candidate to serve as principal of an attendance center. No

 

 

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1person shall be directly selected, listed as a candidate for,
2or selected to serve as principal of an attendance center (i)
3if such person has been removed for cause from employment by
4the Board or (ii) if such person does not hold a valid
5administrative certificate issued or exchanged under Article
621 and endorsed as required by that Article for the position of
7principal. A principal whose performance contract is not
8renewed as provided under subsection (c) of Section 34-2.2 may
9nevertheless, if otherwise qualified and certified as herein
10provided and if he or she has received a satisfactory rating as
11provided in subsection (h) of Section 34-8.3, be included by a
12local school council as one of the 3 candidates listed in order
13of preference on any candidate list from which one person is to
14be selected to serve as principal of the attendance center
15under a new performance contract. The initial candidate list
16required to be submitted by a local school council to the
17general superintendent in cases where the local school council
18does not renew the performance contract of its principal and
19does not directly select a new principal to serve under a 4
20year performance contract shall be submitted not later than 30
21days prior to the expiration of the current performance
22contract. In cases where the local school council fails or
23refuses to submit the candidate list to the general
24superintendent no later than 30 days prior to the expiration of
25the incumbent principal's contract, the general superintendent
26may appoint a principal on an interim basis for a period not to

 

 

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1exceed one year, during which time the local school council
2shall be able to select a new principal with 8 7 affirmative
3votes as provided in subsection (c) of Section 34-2.2. In cases
4where a principal is removed for cause or a vacancy otherwise
5occurs in the position of principal and the vacancy is not
6filled by direct selection by the local school council, the
7candidate list shall be submitted by the local school council
8to the general superintendent within 90 days after the date
9such removal or vacancy occurs. In cases where the local school
10council fails or refuses to submit the candidate list to the
11general superintendent within 90 days after the date of the
12vacancy, the general superintendent may appoint a principal on
13an interim basis for a period of one year, during which time
14the local school council shall be able to select a new
15principal with 8 7 affirmative votes as provided in subsection
16(c) of Section 34-2.2.
17    2.5. Whenever a vacancy in the office of a principal occurs
18for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled in the manner
19provided by this Section by the selection of a new principal to
20serve under a 4 year performance contract.
21    3. To establish additional criteria to be included as part
22of the performance contract of its principal, provided that
23such additional criteria shall not discriminate on the basis of
24race, sex, creed, color or disability unrelated to ability to
25perform, and shall not be inconsistent with the uniform 4 year
26performance contract for principals developed by the board as

 

 

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1provided in Section 34-8.1 of the School Code or with other
2provisions of this Article governing the authority and
3responsibility of principals.
4    4. To approve the expenditure plan prepared by the
5principal with respect to all funds allocated and distributed
6to the attendance center by the Board. The expenditure plan
7shall be administered by the principal. Notwithstanding any
8other provision of this Act or any other law, any expenditure
9plan approved and administered under this Section 34-2.3 shall
10be consistent with and subject to the terms of any contract for
11services with a third party entered into by the Chicago School
12Reform Board of Trustees or the board under this Act.
13    Via a supermajority vote of 8 7 members of the local school
14council or 9 8 members of a high school local school council,
15the Council may transfer allocations pursuant to Section 34-2.3
16within funds; provided that such a transfer is consistent with
17applicable law and collective bargaining agreements.
18    Beginning in fiscal year 1991 and in each fiscal year
19thereafter, the Board may reserve up to 1% of its total fiscal
20year budget for distribution on a prioritized basis to schools
21throughout the school system in order to assure adequate
22programs to meet the needs of special student populations as
23determined by the Board. This distribution shall take into
24account the needs catalogued in the Systemwide Plan and the
25various local school improvement plans of the local school
26councils. Information about these centrally funded programs

 

 

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1shall be distributed to the local school councils so that their
2subsequent planning and programming will account for these
3provisions.
4    Beginning in fiscal year 1991 and in each fiscal year
5thereafter, from other amounts available in the applicable
6fiscal year budget, the board shall allocate a lump sum amount
7to each local school based upon such formula as the board shall
8determine taking into account the special needs of the student
9body. The local school principal shall develop an expenditure
10plan in consultation with the local school council, the
11professional personnel leadership committee and with all other
12school personnel, which reflects the priorities and activities
13as described in the school's local school improvement plan and
14is consistent with applicable law and collective bargaining
15agreements and with board policies and standards; however, the
16local school council shall have the right to request waivers of
17board policy from the board of education and waivers of
18employee collective bargaining agreements pursuant to Section
1934-8.1a.
20    The expenditure plan developed by the principal with
21respect to amounts available from the fund for prioritized
22special needs programs and the allocated lump sum amount must
23be approved by the local school council.
24    The lump sum allocation shall take into account the
25following principles:
26        a. Teachers: Each school shall be allocated funds equal

 

 

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1    to the amount appropriated in the previous school year for
2    compensation for teachers (regular grades kindergarten
3    through 12th grade) plus whatever increases in
4    compensation have been negotiated contractually or through
5    longevity as provided in the negotiated agreement.
6    Adjustments shall be made due to layoff or reduction in
7    force, lack of funds or work, change in subject
8    requirements, enrollment changes, or contracts with third
9    parties for the performance of services or to rectify any
10    inconsistencies with system-wide allocation formulas or
11    for other legitimate reasons.
12        b. Other personnel: Funds for other teacher
13    certificated and uncertificated personnel paid through
14    non-categorical funds shall be provided according to
15    system-wide formulas based on student enrollment and the
16    special needs of the school as determined by the Board.
17        c. Non-compensation items: Appropriations for all
18    non-compensation items shall be based on system-wide
19    formulas based on student enrollment and on the special
20    needs of the school or factors related to the physical
21    plant, including but not limited to textbooks, electronic
22    textbooks and the technological equipment necessary to
23    gain access to and use electronic textbooks, supplies,
24    electricity, equipment, and routine maintenance.
25        d. Funds for categorical programs: Schools shall
26    receive personnel and funds based on, and shall use such

 

 

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1    personnel and funds in accordance with State and Federal
2    requirements applicable to each categorical program
3    provided to meet the special needs of the student body
4    (including but not limited to, Federal Chapter I,
5    Bilingual, and Special Education).
6        d.1. Funds for State Title I: Each school shall receive
7    funds based on State and Board requirements applicable to
8    each State Title I pupil provided to meet the special needs
9    of the student body. Each school shall receive the
10    proportion of funds as provided in Section 18-8 to which
11    they are entitled. These funds shall be spent only with the
12    budgetary approval of the Local School Council as provided
13    in Section 34-2.3.
14        e. The Local School Council shall have the right to
15    request the principal to close positions and open new ones
16    consistent with the provisions of the local school
17    improvement plan provided that these decisions are
18    consistent with applicable law and collective bargaining
19    agreements. If a position is closed, pursuant to this
20    paragraph, the local school shall have for its use the
21    system-wide average compensation for the closed position.
22        f. Operating within existing laws and collective
23    bargaining agreements, the local school council shall have
24    the right to direct the principal to shift expenditures
25    within funds.
26        g. (Blank).

 

 

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1    Any funds unexpended at the end of the fiscal year shall be
2available to the board of education for use as part of its
3budget for the following fiscal year.
4    5. To make recommendations to the principal concerning
5textbook selection and concerning curriculum developed
6pursuant to the school improvement plan which is consistent
7with systemwide curriculum objectives in accordance with
8Sections 34-8 and 34-18 of the School Code and in conformity
9with the collective bargaining agreement.
10    6. To advise the principal concerning the attendance and
11disciplinary policies for the attendance center, subject to the
12provisions of this Article and Article 26, and consistent with
13the uniform system of discipline established by the board
14pursuant to Section 34-19.
15    7. To approve a school improvement plan developed as
16provided in Section 34-2.4. The process and schedule for plan
17development shall be publicized to the entire school community,
18and the community shall be afforded the opportunity to make
19recommendations concerning the plan. At least twice a year the
20principal and local school council shall report publicly on
21progress and problems with respect to plan implementation.
22    8. To evaluate the allocation of teaching resources and
23other certificated and uncertificated staff to the attendance
24center to determine whether such allocation is consistent with
25and in furtherance of instructional objectives and school
26programs reflective of the school improvement plan adopted for

 

 

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1the attendance center; and to make recommendations to the
2board, the general superintendent and the principal concerning
3any reallocation of teaching resources or other staff whenever
4the council determines that any such reallocation is
5appropriate because the qualifications of any existing staff at
6the attendance center do not adequately match or support
7instructional objectives or school programs which reflect the
8school improvement plan.
9    9. To make recommendations to the principal and the general
10superintendent concerning their respective appointments, after
11August 31, 1989, and in the manner provided by Section 34-8 and
12Section 34-8.1, of persons to fill any vacant, additional or
13newly created positions for teachers at the attendance center
14or at attendance centers which include the attendance center
15served by the local school council.
16    10. To request of the Board the manner in which training
17and assistance shall be provided to the local school council.
18Pursuant to Board guidelines a local school council is
19authorized to direct the Board of Education to contract with
20personnel or not-for-profit organizations not associated with
21the school district to train or assist council members. If
22training or assistance is provided by contract with personnel
23or organizations not associated with the school district, the
24period of training or assistance shall not exceed 30 hours
25during a given school year; person shall not be employed on a
26continuous basis longer than said period and shall not have

 

 

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1been employed by the Chicago Board of Education within the
2preceding six months. Council members shall receive training in
3at least the following areas:
4        1. school budgets;
5        2. educational theory pertinent to the attendance
6    center's particular needs, including the development of
7    the school improvement plan and the principal's
8    performance contract; and
9        3. personnel selection.
10Council members shall, to the greatest extent possible,
11complete such training within 90 days of election.
12    11. In accordance with systemwide guidelines contained in
13the System-Wide Educational Reform Goals and Objectives Plan,
14criteria for evaluation of performance shall be established for
15local school councils and local school council members. If a
16local school council persists in noncompliance with systemwide
17requirements, the Board may impose sanctions and take necessary
18corrective action, consistent with Section 34-8.3.
19    12. Each local school council shall comply with the Open
20Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act. Each local
21school council shall issue and transmit to its school community
22a detailed annual report accounting for its activities
23programmatically and financially. Each local school council
24shall convene at least 2 well-publicized meetings annually with
25its entire school community. These meetings shall include
26presentation of the proposed local school improvement plan, of

 

 

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1the proposed school expenditure plan, and the annual report,
2and shall provide an opportunity for public comment.
3    13. Each local school council is encouraged to involve
4additional non-voting members of the school community in
5facilitating the council's exercise of its responsibilities.
6    14. The local school council may adopt a school uniform or
7dress code policy that governs the attendance center and that
8is necessary to maintain the orderly process of a school
9function or prevent endangerment of student health or safety,
10consistent with the policies and rules of the Board of
11Education. A school uniform or dress code policy adopted by a
12local school council: (i) shall not be applied in such manner
13as to discipline or deny attendance to a transfer student or
14any other student for noncompliance with that policy during
15such period of time as is reasonably necessary to enable the
16student to acquire a school uniform or otherwise comply with
17the dress code policy that is in effect at the attendance
18center into which the student's enrollment is transferred; and
19(ii) shall include criteria and procedures under which the
20local school council will accommodate the needs of or otherwise
21provide appropriate resources to assist a student from an
22indigent family in complying with an applicable school uniform
23or dress code policy. A student whose parents or legal
24guardians object on religious grounds to the student's
25compliance with an applicable school uniform or dress code
26policy shall not be required to comply with that policy if the

 

 

09700HB1851ham001- 36 -LRB097 08974 NHT 51710 a

1student's parents or legal guardians present to the local
2school council a signed statement of objection detailing the
3grounds for the objection.
4    15. All decisions made and actions taken by the local
5school council in the exercise of its powers and duties shall
6comply with State and federal laws, all applicable collective
7bargaining agreements, court orders and rules properly
8promulgated by the Board.
9    15a. To grant, in accordance with board rules and policies,
10the use of assembly halls and classrooms when not otherwise
11needed, including lighting, heat, and attendants, for public
12lectures, concerts, and other educational and social
13activities.
14    15b. To approve, in accordance with board rules and
15policies, receipts and expenditures for all internal accounts
16of the attendance center, and to approve all fund-raising
17activities by nonschool organizations that use the school
18building.
19    16. (Blank).
20    17. Names and addresses of local school council members
21shall be a matter of public record.
22(Source: P.A. 96-1403, eff. 7-29-10.)
 
23    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
24becoming law, except that the provisions changing Sections
2534-2.2 and 34-2.3 of the School Code take effect July 1,

 

 

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12012.".