Troy 30-C BPAC Bylaws

Article I. Name and location

Section 1.1 Name

The name of this organization shall be Troy 30C Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee,
hereafter referred to as The BPAC. The Troy CCSD 30-C will be called The District.

Section 1.2 Location.

The BPAC shall be at 5800 W Theodore St. Plainfield, IL 60586-5269

Article II. Purpose

Section 2.1 General Purpose

(a) Make recommendations to the District regarding the English Learner (EL) program

(b) Advocate for the academic needs of all EL students

(d) Facilitate and foster relationships among schools, parents/guardians, and school and district staff.

Article III. Responsibilities

Section 3.1 Organizational Independence.

The BPAC is an autonomous organization, responsible for conducting its own business. Troy 30C School District shall not be responsible for the business of the BPAC.

Section 3.2 Program

The BPAC shall participate in the planning, operating, and evaluating the Bilingual/EL programs. The BPAC will work with the Director of Multilingual Services. The BPAC will review the EL Evidence-Based Funding Spending Plan and Expenditure Report submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Section 3.3 Training

Annual training must be provided to members in conjunction with the District. In one of the following areas but not limited to:

(a) State and Federal legislation related to student’s participation and parent’s/guardian’s rights.

(b) Accountability measures relevant to students in bilingual programs.

Section 3.4 Relationship with The District

The District shall provide space, materials, technical support, training and translation services as needed. The BPAC shall follow District policies and administrative practices and procedures.

Section 3.5 Minutes

The Secretary shall record and share the meeting minutes with the District. (Judy Sanchez)

Article IV Membership

Section 4.1 Membership

The BPAC may consist of transitional bilingual education teachers, counselors, other staff, community leaders and any parent or legal guardian with a child(ren) participating in an English Learner program in the District. The majority of the committee members shall be parents or legal guardians of students enrolled in TBE[JC1] [CF2] programs.

Article V Meetings

Section 5.1 Number of Meetings

The BPAC will host no less than four (4) meetings each fiscal year. Additional meetings may be held at the call of the President or the majority of the Executive Board, with all members duly notified.

Section 5.2 Meeting Agenda

Meetings are held to offer parent training/education, discuss issues, concerns and needs related to the children’s education. Notice shall be given at least seven days in advance of the meeting. Bilingual notice shall be given via email. All parents and members of the community are welcomed and encouraged to attend the meetings.

Section 5.3 Notice

Notice shall be given at least seven days in advance of the meeting. Meetings may be held in person and virtually.

Section 5.4 Meeting Rules

Revised Rules of Order shall be followed, unless otherwise agreed upon by the presiding officer and membership.

Article VI Executive Board

Section 6.1

The Executive Board shall include the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, a representative of each of the schools that host EL programs and the Director of Multilingual Services.

Section 6.2 Quorum

A majority of the officers currently elected shall constitute a quorum.

Article VII Officers and Elections

Section 7.1 Officers

The officers shall consist of the Executive board as defined in Section 6.1. Additional officer positions may be created as needed by resolution of the Executive Board.

Section 7.2 Election

Election voting privileges shall be extended to all members who attend a minimum of 3 BPAC meetings. All members of the BPAC shall have the privilege of nominating individuals to serve as officers. Nominations will be called for in a May meeting. Those nominated shall be notified during the meeting. The nominees shall respond in writing by the next meeting.

Section 7.3 Eligibility

Members are eligible for office if they are members in good standing and actively participate in monthly meetings and events.

Section 7.3 Installation and terms

Officers are elected for 1 year(s) and may serve no more than 10 consecutive terms in the same office.

Section 7.4 Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the office of president, the vice president will become the president. At the next regularly scheduled meeting, a new vice president will be elected. If there is a vacancy in any other office, members will fill the vacancy through an election at the next regular meeting

Section 7.5 Removal from office

Officers can be removed from office with or without cause by a two-thirds vote of those present (assuming a quorum) at a regular meeting where previous notice has been given.

Section 7.6 Resignation

Members of the executive board may offer their resignation from their duties. However, it is expected that the resignation shall be effective until a new member is elected to assume her/his responsibilities. A month's notice is required.

Article VIII Duties of Officers

a. Officer Chair

The president shall preside over meetings of the organization and executive board, serve as the primary contact for the director, represent the organization at meetings outside the organization, serve as an ex official member of all committees except the nominating committee, and coordinate the work of all the officers and committees so that the purpose of the organization is served.

b. Secretary.

The secretary shall keep and share with the District all records of the organization, take and record minutes, prepare the agenda, handle correspondence, and send notices of meetings to the membership. The secretary also keeps a copy of the minutes book, bylaws, rules, membership list, and any other necessary supplies, and brings them to meetings.

c. Treasurer.

The treasurer shall receive all organization funds, keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures, and pay out funds in accordance with the executive board's approval. They will present a financial statement at every meeting and at other times of the year when requested by the executive board and make a full report at the end of the year.

Section 7.7 School Representatives.

The School Representative will represent the BPAC before the teachers and administrators of the school they represent. The School Representative will advocate for the school they represent before the executive board. The School Representative will be responsible for effective communication with parents of English Learners and Dual Language programs at the school they represent. The School Representatives are encouraged to participate with the Parent Groups of their schools. The School Representatives are encouraged to organize activities to foster and improve the relationship among students, parents, teachers and administrators of their respective schools.

Section 7.8 Transfer of Information.

All officers shall deliver to their successors all official material within 10 school days of installation.

Article VII – Committees

Section 1. Membership.

Committees may consist of general members and board members, with the president acting as an ex official member of all committees.

Section 2. Standing Committees.

The following committees shall be held by the organization: Fundraising, Hospitality, Membership, Communications, Arts and Enrichment, Family Events, Nominating, and Audit.

Section 3. Additional Committees.

The board may appoint additional committees as needed.

Article VIII – Fiscal

Section 1. Budget

A tentative budget shall be drafted by the Executive board and BPA members every August. and presented at a BPAC meeting. The budget is contingent upon School Board Approval.

Section 2.

The treasurer shall keep accurate records of any disbursements, income and account information.

Section 3.

The fiscal year shall coordinate with the school year.

Article IX Amendments

Section 9.1 Amendments.

These bylaws may be amended at a regular or special meeting of the BPAC by two-thirds vote of the members present and voting. Notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given at least 10 school days prior to the meeting at which the amendment is voted upon.

Section 9.2 Revising Bylaws.

The bylaws should be reviewed every year after elections are held in September.

Section 9.3 Adopting Revised Bylaws.

The requirements for adoption of a revised set of bylaws shall be the same as in the case of an amendment.

Article X. Dissolution

Section 10.1 Dissolution.

The District Superintendent may request the dissolution of the BPAC according to the regulations of the Illinois State Board of Education.

Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC)

Overview:

Is required to be established in school districts that have Transitional Bilingual Education programs (20 or more ELs from the same language background)
Is an autonomous committee with its own election of officers and establishment of internal rules and procedures.
Title III funds may be used to support your group.
The district should provide space, materials, technical support, training, and translators as needed.

Requirements and Bylaws:

Meet at minimum four times per year
Create bylaws, including parameters such as posting agendas, following Robert’s Rules of Order, meeting quorum, electing officers, etc.
Keep minutes of meetings.
Receive training from the district to make informed decisions.
Participate in planning, operation and evaluation of programs.
Review the bilingual service plan, EL-Evidence- Based Funding Spending Plan (EL-EBF) and EL-EBF Expenditure Report submitted to ISBE.

Members:

BPACs can have varying numbers of members, depending on the needs of the district. Reach out to your district’s bilingual director to inquire about joining or starting a BPAC.
BPAC officer chair should be a parent/guardian of a student currently enrolled in the EL program.
Members should reflect on the home languages in the district.
The majority of the membership must be parents/legal guardians of students currently enrolled in the English learner program.
- Membership may also include parents of dual language programs, TBE teachers, counselors, and representatives from the community.
Members give recommendations to the District regarding the EL program and advocate for the academic needs of all EL students in TBE.

Minutes:

Decide who the secretary or note taker will be.
Be sure that minutes are properly filed with the district.
Include: Date, time, location, those in attendance, general topic with some details of the discussion of the topic.

ISBE Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee FAQs