Granby Public Schools
Special Education Parent’s Advisory Council
Bylaws

Article 1: Name of Organization
The name of this self- governed organization shall be the Granby Special Education Parent’s Advisory Committee also known as GSPEDPAC.

Article II: Purpose of the PAC
The mission of the Town of Granby Special Education Parents Advisory Committee is to work for understanding of, respect for and support of all children with special needs in the community. To that end, they will work to:

• Promote a network of children with special needs, and provide the forum to share information and support.
• Advise the Director of Student Services and the school committee on operations and development of special education programs, parent and teacher training needs, and help to develop special education policy.
• Promote communication between GSPEDPAC members, local, state and national organizations, councils and groups.
• Provide informational forums to parents, educators, students, and other professionals.

Article III: Terms of Membership
General membership shall be open to any resident of Granby or person affiliated with the Granby Public Schools. Any resident from other towns may visit when desired and join the GSPEDPAC when attending at least 3 meetings during the past 12 months. Voting membership is required to vote in Bi-annual officer elections and other business that comes before any GSPEDPAC meeting. Voting membership shall be any general member, who is a parent or guardian of a child with special needs residing in Granby, with or without an Education Plan (IEP) or (504plan).

Meetings are defined as any GSPEDPAC meeting, activity or committee at which attendance is taken.

Article IV: Officers of the Granby Special Education Parents Advisory Council
Officers of the GSPEDPAC are elected by voting membership and hold office for 2 years. If any office becomes vacant, an election for that office shall be held immediately, with the term to expire at the May meeting.

Officers of the GSPEDPAC are:

• Chairperson

*Preside at all meetings of the GSPEDPAC.
*Recommend the organization and monitor the functions of sub-committees.
*Act as liaison with The School committee and Director of Pupil services.
*Co-Coordinate topics and speakers for meetings
*Coordinate communicates between members and community.
*To prepare agenda’s and submit to the GSPEDPAC’s web-site.

• CO-Chairperson
  *Preside at meetings in absence of Chair person.
  *Co- Coordinate public communications if needed.
  *Assist Chairperson as needed.
  *Monitor GSPEDPAC web site.

• Secretary
  *Coordinate, file and record minutes of the GSPEDPAC and its sub- committees.
  * Collect and review all correspondence of the GSPEDPAC.
  * Coordinate press releases and mailings with Chair and Co-chair.
  * Coordinate attendance at meetings and be the keeper of the books.
  * Submit minutes to GSPED’s web site.
  *Prepare periodic reports with Chairperson for Administration regarding GSPEDPAC activities and needs.
  

• Treasurer
  Not applicable at this time. 12/30/04

Article V: Elections
When officer’s terms expire in their second year or as needed, elections should be the first order of business at the May meeting. Elections shall be decided by a simple majority vote of the voting membership, subject to the presence of a quorum. New officers shall take office immediately following their election.

If the voting membership is less than 50, a quorum shall be at least 50 %( rounding down) of the voting membership.

The Department of Education shall be informed of the bi-annual elections, with names, addresses and phone numbers of the new board by June 1 of each year.

Any voting member of the GSPEDPAC may make nominations. The nominee must accept of decline the nominations. Voting may take place by paper ballot or show of hands as long as a quorum is present.

Article VI: Meetings
Meetings shall be held monthly, but special meetings may be called as determined by officers. They will take place September thru June. Notice of general meeting dates, elections shall be posted and published through local press releases as well as periodic mailings and community calendars and academic year calendars. The notices must include place, date, time and projected activity. The location and day of the week of GSPEDPAC meetings may vary, but they will be held the 3^rd week of the month, unless otherwise posted, and will be at one of the three Granby Schools from 6:30 to 8:30.

Section VII: Amendments
These by-laws may be amended by a simple majority vote of voting members at a general meeting.

Section VIII: Subcommittees
Subcommittees shall be created as needed.

Section IX
Roberts’s rules of order are the default procedures for this organization.