SCC Bylaws

Union Middle School
School Community Council Bylaws

Union Middle School, Canyons School District 
Adopted by the Council on October 16, 2025

Article I. Code & Rule References

The Rules of Order & Procedure adhere to all relevant legal requirements for School Community Councils and the School LAND Trust Program, as outlined in Utah Code, Utah State Board Rules, and Canyons School District Policy listed below :

Utah Code

• Title 53F-2-404: School LAND Trust Program Distribution of Funds (Contingently effective)
• Title 53G-7-1301-1307: Teacher Student Success Plan
• Title 53G-7-1202: School Community Councils. Duties. Composition. Election Procedures and Selection of Members 
• Title 53G-7-1203: School Community Councils. Open and Public Meeting Requirements
• Title 53G-7-1206: School LAND Trust Program
• Title 53G-10-S407: Positive behaviors plan – Positive behaviors specialist stipend – Reports.

Utah State Board Rule

• R277-477: Distributions of Funds from the Trust Distribution Account and Administration of the School LAND Trust Program
• R277-491: School Community Councils
• R277-114: Response to Compliance and Related Issues

Canyons School District Policy

• Policy 700.01 – School Community Councils

Article II. Council Duties

In accordance with Utah Code § 53G-7-1202, the responsibilities of the council include:

• Creating (all components of) the School LAND Trust Plan, to include:
  • The Goal Statement, Academic Area, Measurement, Action Plan Steps, and Expenditures
• Advising and making recommendations to school and school district administrators and the local school board regarding:
  • the school and its programs
  • school district programs
  • a child access routing plan
  • safe technology utilization and digital citizenship
  • other issues relating to the community environment for students
• Partnering with the school’s principal and other administrators to ensure that adequate on-campus Internet filtering is installed and consistently configured to prevent viewing of harmful content by students and school personnel
• Working with students, families, and educators to develop and incorporate safety principles at the school; and holding at least an annual discussion with the school’s principal and district administrators regarding safety principles
• Providing input to the school’s principal on a Positive Behaviors Plan

Article III. Council Member Expectations

To promote ethical behavior and respectful discussion, each council member shall: 

• Council members will receive annual training to understand their responsibilities
• Attend council meetings on time and come prepared
• Inform the Chair, Vice Chair, or Principal if they will not be able to attend an SCC meeting
• Make decisions with the best interests of students as the primary focus
• Listen to and value diverse opinions

• Ensure that the perspectives of those the council represents are considered in discussions

• • Be accountable for their actions and expect accountability from others

• Act with integrity
  
  

Article IV. Membership and Elections

• Number of Members
  • The council will consist of at least 6, but not more than 15 voting members (including the principal), ensuring a two-parent majority.
• Terms
  • All elected positions are for 1-year terms.
• Election Procedures
  • A request for volunteers to serve on the SCC will be sent out to parents during the first week of each new school year.
  • The names of those interested in serving on the SCC will be collected by the first SCC meeting of the school year.
  • The election for a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Recorder will occur in the first meeting of the new school year in August or September.
  • If the number of parents wishing to join and vote with the SCC exceeds the available openings, then elections for those positions will be held at the first SCC meeting also. 
• Filling Vacancies
  • If a member resigns or a position is not filled during elections, the council may add members through majority vote.
  • Parent members fill parent vacancies, employee members fill employee vacancies.
• Removing Members
  • Members may be removed if they move or miss 2 consecutive meetings without notice. Removal requires a simple majority council vote.
• Resignation
  • Members may resign by providing written notice to the Chair or Recorder. Vacancies are filled per Section 4.
    
    

Article V. Officers and Other Leadership

• Election of Officers
  
  

1. 1. • Officers are elected annually, in-person, at the first SCC meeting. Chair must be a parent; Vice-Chair may be a parent or an employee; Recorder may be a parent or an employee; Principal may not serve as officer.
        
        

• Duties of Elected Officers and Other Leadership
  
  

1. • Principal: Works with the Chair and Vice-Chair to create agendas and is responsible for taking on the Recorder role if that person is not in attendance.
   • Chair: Creates agendas with the Principal and conducts the meetings. Other duties as outlined in the CSD policy. Will be elected from the parent group. The current Chair will serve through the summer months, assist the Principal with any required SCC business, elections, conduct the September meeting and assist the new leadership in the transition, even if they no longer have a student at UMS.
   • Vice-Chair: Works with the Chair and conducts the meeting in the case of the Chair’s absence. Will be elected from the parent group or the school employee group.
   • Recorder: Records attendance at each meeting, takes notes at each meeting, and creates the minutes for approval by the SCC.
   • PTSA Liaison: may fall into one of the following three categories:
     1. An elected parent member of the committee
     2. Current PTSA President (voting rights only if an elected member of SCC)
     3. An ex-officio non-voting member.
        
        

Article VI. Meetings

• Frequency
  
  

1. 1. • The SCC will meet each month from September – May, excluding December. 
      • The majority of the council must approve of canceling and/or calling additional meetings. 
      • Meeting rescheduling will be done through email and then posted on the website when necessary.
        
        

• Open Meetings
  
  

1. 1. • All meetings are open to the public and comply with Utah Open Meetings Law.
        
        

• Agendas & Minutes
  
  

1. 1. • Agendas (with action items) and draft minutes are shared with members one week prior to each meeting and posted publicly on the Union SCC website. 
      • Written minutes will be taken at all meetings by the Recorder. These minutes will be prepared in draft form for approval at the next scheduled meeting. Once approved, minutes will be retained for three years.

• Meeting Norms
  
  

1. • Meetings will begin and finish on time, use time wisely, and stay focused on the agenda.
   • Members and guests will come prepared to participate and avoid side conversations.
   • Respect for others in verbal and non-verbal communication will be shown at all times.
   • Avoid disruptions by silencing cell phones and taking necessary calls or conversations out of the room during meetings.
   •  

Article VII. Patron Input

• Patrons may bring topics to the Chair one week before a meeting for agenda inclusion.
• The council may also invite presentations from relevant stakeholders.
  
  

Article VIII. Restrictions

• SCC shall not discuss personal issues or individual student information.
  
  

Article IX. Quorum and Voting

• A quorum has been identified by the legislature as a majority of members, with the stipulation that the majority must follow the legal composition of the council, having at least two more parent members than employee members present to vote.
• Decisions are made by majority vote. 
• Tie votes fail.

Article X. Parliamentary Procedure

• Meetings follow simplified parliamentary procedure as outlined in Robert’s Rules of Order (motions, seconds, discussion, voting) per Utah Code § 53G-7-1203. 

Article XI. Conflicts of Interest

• Members must disclose conflicts of interest per district policy and abstain from related votes.