Article I: Name of Organization and Establishment of Bylaws

The name of this self-governed organization shall be the Josiah Quincy Elementary School (“JQES”) School Community Council (“SCC”). These Bylaws were adopted in 2024 as the official governing charter of the Council, superseding and replacing any and all prior Bylaws, and shall be known as the Josiah Quincy Elementary School School Community Council Bylaws (“Bylaws”). 

 The Council was previously known as the JQES School Parent Council (SPC).

Article II: Purpose and Responsibilities

The purpose of the JQES SCC is to contribute to the school community where families partner to support the educational development of their students. The JQES SCC is responsible for: 

• Establishing and maintaining communication with school administration and faculty on school events, programming, etc. 

• Encouraging active family involvement in Council decisions and school activities.

• Educating and informing families of activities, programs and resources at JQES.

• Promoting and coordinating volunteer opportunities.

• Supporting and showing appreciation for JQES faculty, staff and students. 

• Sponsoring projects and events for the benefit of all JQES students.

• Raising funds for carrying out projects and programs to enhance the educational and social goals for JQES.

• Establishing regular and ad hoc committees and appointments as required for carrying out the above. 

Article III: Membership

Any parent or legal guardian with a student enrolled in and attending JQES is a member of the JQES SCC.

Article IV: Executive Committee: Officers, Terms, and Duties

Executive Committee

An Executive Committee will guide JQES SCC and be composed of the following members: two Co-Chairs, two Treasurers and two Secretaries. Each member of the Executive Committee is an Officer of the JQES SCC. Only one member of a JQES family may hold an elected position on the Executive Committee at a given time. 

The two Co-Chairs, Treasurers and Secretaries serve staggered two (2) year terms (one is new each year). Officers serve their respective terms ending on June 30th, following the elections held at the June meeting or, in the absence of a newly elected Officer, until successor(s) are elected at a subsequent meeting of the council. Members of the SCC shall endeavor to elect Officers who are representative of the racial and ethnic diversity of the JQES student body, and who also represent other populations, including English Language Learners and families with special needs. 

Duties of the Officers 

Working collaboratively, the Co-Chairs will: 

• Convene and preside according to the established schedule.

• Ensure that an agenda is prepared and presented. 

• Summarize for the general membership any actions taken by the Executive Committee since the last general meeting. 

• Meet regularly with the Principal to discuss issues. 

• Appoint committees and subcommittees, including standing and ad hoc.

• Be the official spokesperson for the council and Executive Committee.

• Ensure annual elections are conducted according to guidelines.

The Treasurers will: 

• Assist parents to identify and prioritize financial needs in the JQES community, outside of the BPS-sponsored budget.

• Be responsible for and report on the financial activity of the JQES SCC.

• Prepare and file tax return.

• Prepare and submit an annual report.

• Follow all rules and regulations related to 501c3 status.

• Be a signer on the JQES SCC account. 

The Secretaries will: 

• Record the minutes of Executive Committee and membership meetings and bring copies of minutes to each meeting. 

• Ensure minutes are circulated to SCC members through the JQES website. 

• Maintain an accurate copy of the Bylaws; if and when changes are made, they shall be done so in accordance with Article X. The amended copy shall be dated and initialed and a copy submitted to the main school office and posted on the JQES website. 

• Maintain all records of elections.

Article V: Meetings Section

Schedule

The regular meetings of the JQES SCC shall be held at least quarterly on a regular schedule as determined by the Co-Chairs and voted on at a meeting of the Executive Committee. Special meetings may be called, as needed, by the Executive Committee. Notice of all meeting dates shall be made at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the meetings through at least two communication methods, such as flyers sent home with students, JQES website calendar, automated-voice calls and additional forums as identified. 

Executive Committee Meetings 

The Executive Committee will meet as needed throughout the school year and for at least one meeting prior to the start of school to plan for the transition into the new school year. It is expected that Executive Committee members will attend most Executive Committee meetings and JQES SCC meetings. Executive Committee meetings will focus on setting SCC meeting agendas, communicating with the general membership, and addressing questions of governance. Minutes of all JQES SCC meetings shall be recorded and available as per Article IV. 

Article VI: Decision-making and Voting

Decision-making

It is expected that the JQES SCC will make every effort to make decisions by consensus or general agreement of the members to promote a culture of shared decision making. Decisions that have far-reaching implications for the school community, or for which a consensus is unable to be reached, will be made by simple majority vote of a Quorum. 

 Elections for Officers will be made by simple majority vote of a Quorum. 

Quorum

A Quorum is defined as the presence of six (6) SCC members of which at least one (1) SCC Officer is present. 

Voting

Each JQES family is entitled to one (1) vote. Except for elections, most votes will be taken by a show of hands. Voting can be in person or virtual.

Article VII: Elections, Vacancies, Resignations and Recalls Section

Elections

Elections shall adhere to Boston Public School Parent Council election guidelines, with the exception that elections for the following academic year’s SCC Officers shall be the first order of business during the June Council meeting. Elections shall be announced at the April SCC meeting and in flyer to all JQES families in May. Each of these communications will include a description of the open positions and the responsibilities and terms of each. Any parent or legal guardian of a JQES student can be nominated for a position as an SCC Officer. The nomination period begins in May and includes the day of the June election. 

Prior to the vote, the Secretaries will read the roles and responsibilities of the Council Officers in Article IV of these Bylaws so that all potential candidates understand the positions, the requirements of the positions, and what is expected of the individual seeking the office. Candidates must be present at the election. Only SCC members present at the election may vote for those nominated. Each family is entitled to 1 (one) vote for each position. Elections will be by secret paper ballot, if in person, or electronically, if done virtually. Elections shall be decided by a majority vote of the membership, subject to the presence of a Quorum. Following the election, new Officers shall take office on July 1st of the year elected. The names of all new SCC Officers will be announced on the JQES website. In the event a position is unfilled after the June election, the current occupant of the position remains seated in their position until an election can be held in October, at which point the newly elected person will assume the position.

During this meeting, elections will also be held for the following positions with communications and voting occurring in the same manner as discussed in the preceding paragraph: 

• Citywide Parent Council: one (1) seat and one (1) alternate

• District English Learner Advisory Council (DELAC): One (1) seat 

• Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SPEDPac): One (1) seat

• School-Site Council

Vacancies, Resignations and Recalls 

Vacancy

If a vacancy on the Executive Committee exists for any reason (resignation or removal), the Committee will announce the open Officer position through means noted above and an election will be held at the next SCC meeting. There must be at least seven (7) calendar days’ notice of this special election. 

Resignation 

Any member of the Executive Committee who wishes to resign may do so. They must either announce the resignation at the SCC meeting, for inclusion in the minutes, or submit the resignation in writing. 

Recall

Executive Committee members can be removed from their elected position for failure to carry out the outlined responsibilities detailed above. Any Officer of the Executive Committee may be subject to removal for not attending three (3) SCC meetings. In addition, a Council Officer may be removed from office for cause, including non-attendance, following the written notification and an opportunity to be heard. The Executive Committee shall follow proper notification of the Council membership and shall conduct a hearing concerning the removal. The person to be removed must be notified in writing of the pending vote for removal at least fourteen (14) days prior to the vote. The person must be offered the opportunity to attend and be heard. The Co-Chairs shall then entertain a motion for removal of the member, which shall be adopted or rejected by a two-thirds vote. A Co-Chair being considered for removal may not preside at the meeting considering their removal.

Article VIII. Dissolution

Unless otherwise required by law, in the event of the termination, dissolution or liquidation of the SCC in any manner or for any reason whatsoever, its assets, if any, remaining after the payment of all of the liabilities of the SCC, shall be distributed to one or more organizations with purposes similar or related to the purposes of the SCC and exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, in such manner and in such proportions as shall be approved by vote of a majority of the Officers then in office.

Article IX: Nonpartisan Policy

The JQES SCC is a nonpartisan body, and as such does not engage in any partisan activity. A partisan activity means affiliating with any political party or supporting candidates for political office. While members of the JQES SCC may support partisan activities as individuals, they may not utilize the name of JQES or any JQES SCC affiliated committees or subcommittees for partisan activities of any kind. Nothing in this Article shall be construed to limit the ability of JQES community members or students as individuals to advocate for the needs of this school. 

Article X: Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote subject to the presence of a Quorum, but Bylaws changes may not be voted upon in the same meeting as they are proposed. A month before the proposed changes are to be voted on, a draft of the changes will be discussed at the JQES SCC meeting and copies of the draft made available. A notice to amend the Bylaws shall be sent out seven (7) days before the vote and the proposed changes will be posted to the JQES website. A Quorum, as defined in Article VII, must be present to change the JQES SCC Bylaws or a vote taken to retire and replace them.