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Education Act

ONTARIO REGULATION 612/00

SCHOOL COUNCILS AND PARENT INVOLVEMENT COMMITTEES

Consolidation Period: From April 4, 2022 to the e-Laws currency date.

Last amendment: 281/22.

Legislative History: 330/10, 674/20, 281/22.

This is the English version of a bilingual regulation.

CONTENTS

 

 

Sections

PART I

INTERPRETATION

1-1.1

PART II

SCHOOL COUNCILS

 

 

Purpose

2

 

Composition

3

 

Election of Parent Members

4

 

Other Elections

5

 

Term of Office

6

 

Vacancies

7

 

Officers

8-9

 

Ministry Powers and Duties

10

 

Remuneration

11

 

Meetings

12

 

2020-2021 School Year

12.1

 

Committees

13

 

Voting

14

 

By-laws

15

 

Minutes and Financial Records

16

 

Incorporation

17

 

Principal

18

 

Consultation by Board

19

 

Advisory Authority of School Councils

20

 

Duty of Board to Respond

21

 

Fundraising

22

 

Consultation with Parents

23

 

Annual Report

24-25., 26

PART III

PARENT INVOLVEMENT COMMITTEES

 

 

Purpose

27-28

 

Continuation and Establishment of Committees

29

 

Composition of Committees, Transition

30-32

 

Composition of Committees, General

33

 

2020-2021 School Year

33.1

 

Parent Members

34

 

Vacancies

35-36

 

Term of Office

37

 

Officers

38

 

Remuneration

39

 

Meetings

40

 

Subcommittees

41

 

Voting

42

 

By-laws

43

 

Minutes and Financial Records

44

 

Incorporation

45

 

Delegation by the Director of Education and the Board Member

46

 

Consultation by Board

47

 

Consultation by Ministry

48

 

Consultation by Parent Involvement Committee

49

 

Summary of Activities

50

 

PART I
interpretation

1. In this Regulation,

“meeting”, in respect of a school council or a parent involvement committee, does not include a training session or other event where the council or the committee does not discuss or decide matters that it has authority to decide; (“réunion”)

“parent” means,

(a)  in respect of a school council, a parent of a pupil who is enrolled in the school, and includes a guardian as defined in section 1 of the Act, and

(b)  in respect of a parent involvement committee of a board, a parent of a pupil who is enrolled in a school of the board, and includes a guardian as defined in section 1 of the Act; (“parent”)

“parent member” means,

(a)  in respect of a school council, a member of the council who is elected to the council in accordance with section 4 or who fills a vacancy created by a parent member ceasing to hold office, and

(b)  in respect of a parent involvement committee, a member of the committee who is appointed or elected to the committee in accordance with section 34 or who fills a vacancy created by a parent member ceasing to hold office. (“parent membre”)  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 3; O. Reg. 281/22, s. 1.

1.1 In the case of a school council in a school that is established primarily for adults, a reference in this Regulation to a parent shall be read, with necessary modifications, as a reference to a pupil who is enrolled in the school.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 3; O. Reg. 281/22, s. 2.

Part II
School Councils

Purpose

2. (1) The purpose of school councils is, through the active participation of parents, to improve pupil achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 2 (1).

(2) A school council’s primary means of achieving its purpose is by making recommendations in accordance with this Regulation to the principal of the school and the board that established the council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 2 (2).

Composition

3. (1) A school council for a school shall be composed of the following people:

1.  The number of parent members determined under subsection (2).

2.  The principal of the school.

3.  One teacher who is employed at the school, other than the principal or vice-principal, elected in accordance with section 5.

4.  One person who is employed at the school, other than the principal, vice-principal or any other teacher, elected in accordance with section 5.

5.  In the case of a school with one or more secondary school grades,

i.  one pupil enrolled in the school who is appointed by the student council, if the school has a student council, or

ii.  one pupil enrolled in the school who is elected in accordance with section 5, if the school does not have a student council.

6.  In the case of a school with no secondary school grades, one pupil enrolled in the school who is appointed by the principal of the school, if the principal determines, after consulting the other members of the school council, that the council should include a pupil.

7.  Subject to subsection (3), one community representative appointed by the other members of the council.

8.  One person appointed by an association that is a member of the Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations, the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education or Parent Partenaires en Education, if the association that is a member of the Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations, the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education or Parent Partenaires en Education is established in respect of the school.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 3 (1).

(2) For the purposes of paragraph 1 of subsection (1), the number of parent members shall be determined as follows:

1.  If the school council has a by-law that specifies the number of parent members, the number specified in the by-law.

2.  If the school council does not have a by-law that specifies the number of parent members, the number specified by the board that established the council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 3 (2).

(3) A school council may specify by by-law that the council shall include two or more community representatives, appointed by the other members of the council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 3 (3).

(4) In specifying numbers under subsections (2) and (3), the board or the school council, as the case may be, shall ensure that parent members constitute a majority of the members of the school council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 3 (4).

(5) A person who is employed by the board that established a school council cannot be appointed as a community representative on the council unless,

(a)  he or she is not employed at the school; and

(b)  the other members of the school council are informed of the person’s employment before the appointment.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 3 (5).

(6) A member of a board cannot be a member of a school council established by the board.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 3 (6).

(7) Paragraphs 5 and 6 of subsection (1) do not apply in respect of a school that is established primarily for adults.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 3 (7).

Election of Parent Members

4. (1) A person is qualified to be a parent member of a school council if he or she is a parent of a pupil who is enrolled in the school.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 4 (1); O. Reg. 281/22, s. 3.

(2) Despite subsection (1), a person is not qualified to be a parent member of a school council if,

(a)  he or she is employed at the school; or

(b)  he or she is not employed at the school but is employed elsewhere by the board that established the council, unless he or she takes reasonable steps to inform people qualified to vote in the election of parent members of that employment.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 4 (2); O. Reg. 281/22, s. 3.

(3) A person is qualified to vote in an election of parent members of a school council if he or she is a parent of a pupil who is enrolled in the school.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 4 (3); O. Reg. 281/22, s. 4.

(4) An election of parent members of a school council shall be held during the first 30 days of each school year, on a date that is fixed by the chair or co-chairs of the school council after consulting with the principal of the school.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 4 (4); O. Reg. 281/22, s. 4.

(5) Despite subsection (4), if a new school is established, the first election of parent members to the school council shall be held during the first 30 days of the school year, on a date that is fixed by the board that established the school council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 4 (5); O. Reg. 281/22, s. 4.

(5.1) An election of parent members of a school council shall be held,

(a)  in person, at a location that is accessible to the public;

(b)  by electronic or telephonic means; or

(c)  both in person, at a location described in clause (a), and by electronic or telephonic means. O. Reg. 674/20, s. 1 (1); O. Reg. 281/22, s. 4.

(6) The principal of a school shall, at least 14 days before the date of the election of parent members, on behalf of the school council, give written notice of the date and time of and the location or means to access the election to every parent of a pupil who, on the date the notice is given, is enrolled in the school. O. Reg. 612/00, s. 4 (6); O. Reg. 674/20, s. 1 (2); O. Reg. 281/22, s. 4.

(7) The notice required by subsection (6) may be given by doing one or more of the following:

1.  Giving the notice to the parent’s child for delivery to their parent.

2.  Posting the notice in the school in a location that is accessible to parents.

3.  Delivering the notice to the parent by email or by other electronic means.

4.  Posting the notice on the school’s website. O. Reg. 674/20, s. 1 (3).

(8) The election of parent members shall be by secret ballot.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 4 (8); O. Reg. 281/22, s. 4.

Other Elections

5. (1) The elections of members of school councils referred to in paragraph 3, paragraph 4 and subparagraph 5 ii of subsection 3 (1) shall be held during the first 30 days of each school year.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 5 (1).

(2) A person is qualified to vote in an election of a member of a school council referred to in paragraph 3 of subsection 3 (1) if he or she is a teacher, other than the principal or vice-principal, who is employed at the school.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 5 (2).

(3) A person is qualified to vote in an election of a member of a school council referred to in paragraph 4 of subsection 3 (1) if he or she is a person, other than the principal, vice-principal or any other teacher, who is employed at the school.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 5 (3).

(4) A person is qualified to vote in an election of a member of a school council referred to in subparagraph 5 ii of subsection 3 (1) if he or she is a pupil enrolled in the school.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 5 (4).

Term of Office

6. (1) A person elected or appointed as a member of a school council holds office from the later of,

(a)  the date he or she is elected or appointed; and

(b)  the date of the first meeting of the school council after the elections held under sections 4 and 5 in the school year,

until the date of the first meeting of the school council after the elections held under sections 4 and 5 in the next school year.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 6 (1).

(2) A member of a school council may be re-elected or reappointed, unless otherwise provided by the by-laws of the council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 6 (2).

Vacancies

7. (1) A vacancy in the membership of a school council shall be filled by election or appointment in accordance with the by-laws of the council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 7 (1).

(2) If an election is held to fill a vacancy in the membership of a school council, section 4 or 5, as the case may be, applies, with necessary modifications, to the election.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 7 (2).

(3) A vacancy in the membership of a school council does not prevent the council from exercising its authority.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 7 (3).

Officers

8. (1) A school council shall have a chair or, if the by-laws of the council so provide, two co-chairs.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 8 (1).

(2) A chair or co-chair of a school council must be a parent member of the council, and shall be elected by the members of the council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 8 (2).

(3) A person who is employed by the board that established the council cannot be the chair or co-chair of the council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 8 (3).

(4) A school council may have such other officers as are provided for in the by-laws of the council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 8 (4).

(5) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), vacancies in the office of chair, co-chair or any other officer of a school council shall be filled in accordance with the by-laws of the council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 8 (5).

9.  Revoked:  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 5.

Ministry Powers and Duties

10. (1) As part of its accountability to parents, the Ministry shall report annually to members of school councils on education in the province. O. Reg. 612/00, s. 10 (1).

(2) The Ministry may,

(a)  make other reports to members of school councils; and

(b)  provide information to members of school councils respecting the roles and responsibilities of school councils.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 10 (2).

Remuneration

11. (1) A person shall not receive any remuneration for serving as a member or officer of a school council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 11 (1).

(2) Every board shall establish policies respecting the reimbursement of members and officers of school councils established by the board.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 11 (2).

(3) The board that established a school council shall reimburse members and officers of the council, in accordance with the policies referred to in subsection (2), for expenses they incur as members or officers of the council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 11 (3).

Meetings

12. (1) A school council shall meet at least four times during the school year. O. Reg. 612/00, s. 12 (1).

(2) A school council shall meet within the first 35 days of the school year, after the elections held under sections 4 and 5, on a date fixed by the principal of the school. O. Reg. 612/00, s. 12 (2).

(3) A meeting of a school council cannot be held unless,

(a)  a majority of the current members of the council are present at the meeting; and

(b)  a majority of the members of the council who are present at the meeting are parent members.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 12 (3).

(4) All meetings of a school council shall be open to the public. O. Reg. 612/00, s. 12 (4).

(5) A school council is entitled to hold its meetings at the school. O. Reg. 612/00, s. 12 (5).

(6) Meetings of a school council shall be held,

(a)  in person, at a location that is accessible to the public;

(b)  by electronic or telephonic means; or

(c)  both in person, at a location described in clause (a), and by electronic or telephonic means. O. Reg. 674/20, s. 2 (1).

(6.1) A member of a school council who participates in a meeting through electronic or telephonic means shall be deemed to be present at the meeting. O. Reg. 674/20, s. 2 (1).

(7) The principal of a school shall, on behalf of the school council, give written notice of the date and time of and the location or means to access each meeting of the council to every parent of a pupil who, on the date the notice is given, is enrolled in the school. O. Reg. 612/00, s. 12 (7); O. Reg. 674/20, s. 2 (2).

(8) The notice required by subsection (7) may be given by doing one or more of the following:

1.  Giving the notice to the parent’s child for delivery to their parent.

2.  Posting the notice in the school in a location that is accessible to parents.

3.  Delivering the notice to the parent by email or by other electronic means.

4.  Posting the notice on the school’s website. O. Reg. 674/20, s. 2 (3).

2020-2021 School Year

12.1 (1) This section applies for the purposes of the 2020-2021 school year. O. Reg. 674/20, s. 3.

(2) Despite subsection 4 (4), an election of parent members of a school council shall be held on or before November 30, 2020, on a date that is fixed by the chair or co-chairs of the school council after consulting with the principal of the school. O. Reg. 674/20, s. 3; O. Reg. 281/22, s. 4.

(3) Despite subsections (2) and 4 (5), if a new school is established, the first election of parent members to the school council shall be held on or before November 30, 2020, on a date that is fixed by the board that established the school council. O. Reg. 674/20, s. 3; O. Reg. 281/22, s. 4.

(4) Despite subsection 5 (1), the elections of members of school councils referred to in paragraph 3, paragraph 4 and subparagraph 5 ii of subsection 3 (1) shall be held on or before November 30, 2020. O. Reg. 674/20, s. 3.

(5) Despite subsection 12 (2), a school council shall meet on or before December 7, 2020, after the elections held under sections 4 and 5, on a date fixed by the principal of the school. O. Reg. 674/20, s. 3.

Committees

13. (1) A school council may, in accordance with its by-laws, establish committees to make recommendations to the council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 13 (1).

(2) Every committee of a school council must include at least one parent member of the council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 13 (2); O. Reg. 281/22, s. 5.

(3) A committee of a school council may include persons who are not members of the council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 13 (3).

(4) Subsections 12 (4) to (8) apply, with necessary modifications, to committees of school councils.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 13 (4).

Voting

14. (1) Subject to subsection (3), each member of a school council is entitled to one vote in votes taken by the council.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 14 (1).

(2) Subject to subsection (3), each member of a committee of a school council is entitled to one vote in votes taken by the committee.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 14 (2).

(3) The principal of the school is not entitled to vote in votes taken by the school council or by a committee of the school council. O. Reg. 612/00, s. 14 (3).

By-laws

15. (1) A school council may make by-laws governing the conduct of its affairs.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 15 (1).

(2) Every school council shall make the following by-laws:

1.  A by-law that governs election procedures and the filling of vacancies in the membership of the school council.

2.  A by-law that establishes rules respecting participation in school council proceedings in cases of conflict of interest.

3.  A by-law that, in accordance with any applicable policies established by the board that established the council, estab­lishes a conflict resolution process for internal school council disputes.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 15 (2).

Minutes and Financial Records

16. (1) A school council shall keep minutes of all of its meetings and records of all of its financial transactions.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 16 (1).

(2) The minutes and records shall be available at the school for examination without charge by any person.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 16 (2).

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to minutes and records that are more than four years old.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 16 (3).

Incorporation

17. A school council shall not be incorporated.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 17.

Principal

18. (1) The principal of a school may delegate any of his or her powers or duties as a member of the school council, including any powers or duties under this Regulation, to a vice-principal of the school.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 18 (1).

(2) In addition to his or her duties under this Regulation, the principal of a school shall perform the duties relating to school councils that are imposed on the principal by Regulation 298 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Operation of Schools — General).  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 18 (2).

Consultation by Board

19. (1) In addition to its other obligations to solicit the views of school councils under the Act, every board shall solicit the views of the school councils established by the board with respect to the following matters:

1.  The establishment or amendment of board policies and guidelines that relate to pupil achievement or to the accountability of the education system to parents, including,

i.  policies and guidelines established under subsection 302 (1) of the Act with respect to the conduct of persons in schools within the board’s jurisdiction,

ii.  policies and guidelines established under subsection 302 (5) of the Act respecting appropriate dress for pupils in schools within the board’s jurisdiction,

iii.  policies and guidelines respecting the allocation of funding by the board to school councils,

iv.  policies and guidelines respecting the fundraising activities of school councils,

v.  policies and guidelines respecting conflict resolution processes for internal school council disputes, and

vi.  policies and guidelines respecting reimbursement by the board of expenses incurred by members and officers of school councils.

2.  The development of implementation plans for new education initiatives that relate to pupil achievement or to the accountability of the education system to parents, including,

i.  implementation plans for policies and guidelines established under subsection 302 (1) of the Act with respect to the conduct of persons in schools within the board’s jurisdiction, and

ii.  implementation plans for policies and guidelines estab­lished under subsection 302 (5) of the Act respecting appropriate dress for pupils in schools within the board’s jurisdiction.

3.  Board action plans for improvement, based on the Education Quality and Accountability Office’s reports on the results of tests of pupils, and the communication of those plans to the public.

4.  The process and criteria applicable to the selection and placement of principals and vice-principals.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 19 (1).

(2) Subsection (1) does not limit the matters on which a board may solicit the views of school councils.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 19 (2).

Advisory Authority of School Councils

20. A school council may make recommendations to the principal of the school or to the board that established the council on any matter.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 20.

Duty of Board to Respond

21. The board that established a school council shall consider each recommendation made to the board by the council and shall advise the council of the action taken in response to the recommendation.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 21.

Fundraising

22. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a school council may engage in fundraising activities.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 22 (1).

(2) A school council shall not engage in fundraising activities unless,

(a)  the activities are conducted in accordance with any applicable policies established by the board; and

(b)  the activities are to raise funds for a purpose approved by the board or authorized by any applicable policies established by the board.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 22 (2).

(3) A school council shall ensure that the funds raised by it are used in accordance with any applicable policies established by the board.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 22 (3).

Consultation with Parents

23. A school council shall consult with parents of pupils enrolled in the school about matters under consideration by the council. O. Reg. 612/00, s. 23.

Annual Report

24. (1) Every school council shall annually submit a written report on its activities to the principal of the school and to the board that established the council. O. Reg. 612/00, s. 24 (1).

(2) If the school council engages in fundraising activities, the annual report shall include a report on those activities. O. Reg. 612/00, s. 24 (2).

(3) The principal shall, on behalf of the school council, give a copy of the report to every parent of a pupil who, on the date the copy is given, is enrolled in the school.  O. Reg. 612/00, s. 24 (3).

(4) Subsection (3) may be complied with by doing one or more of the following:

1.  Giving a copy of the report to the parent’s child for delivery to their parent.

2.  Posting a copy of the report in the school in a location that is accessible to parents.

3.  Delivering a copy of the report to the parent by email or by other electronic means.

4.  Posting a copy of the report on the school’s website. O. Reg. 674/20, s. 4.

25., 26. Revoked:  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 5.

Part III
PARENT INVOLVEMENT COMMITTEES

Purpose

27. (1) The purpose of a parent involvement committee is to support, encourage and enhance parent engagement at the board level in order to improve student achievement and well-being.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) A parent involvement committee of a board shall achieve its purpose by,

(a)  providing information and advice on parent engagement to the board;

(b)  communicating with and supporting school councils of schools of the board; and

(c)  undertaking activities to help parents of pupils of the board support their children’s learning at home and at school.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

28. A parent involvement committee of a board shall,

(a)  develop strategies and initiatives that the board and the board’s director of education could use to effectively communicate with parents and to effectively engage parents in improving student achievement and well-being;

(b)  advise the board and the board’s director of education on ways to use the strategies and initiatives referred to in clause (a);

(c)  communicate information from the Ministry to school councils of schools of the board and to parents of pupils of the board;

(d)  work with school councils of schools of the board and, through the board’s director of education, with employees of the board to,

(i)  share effective practices to help engage parents, especially parents who may find engagement challenging, in their children’s learning,

(ii)  identify and reduce barriers to parent engagement,

(iii)  help ensure that schools of the board create a welcoming environment for parents of its pupils, and

(iv)  develop skills and acquire knowledge that will assist the parent involvement committee and school councils of the board with their work; and

(e)  determine, in consultation with the board’s director of education and in keeping with the board’s policies, how funding, if any, provided under the Education Act for parent involvement as described in section 27 and clauses (a) to (d), is to be used.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

Continuation and Establishment of Committees

29. (1) A parent involvement committee established by a board before September 1, 2010 is continued.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) A board established before September 1, 2010 that has not established a parent involvement committee before September 1, 2010 shall, before January 31, 2011, establish a parent involvement committee in accordance with section 32.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(3) A board established on or after September 1, 2010 shall, before October 1 of the school year following the calendar year in which the board’s members are first elected, establish a parent involvement committee in accordance with section 32.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(4) Despite the definition of “parent member” in section 1,

(a)  parent member in respect of a parent involvement committee established before September 1, 2010, before the committee meets it obligations under section 30, means a parent who is a member of the committee or who fills a vacancy created by a parent member ceasing to hold office; and

(b)  parent member in respect of a parent involvement committee established on or after September 1, 2010, before the committee meets its obligations under section 31, means a parent who is appointed as a parent member to the committee by the board in accordance with section 32 or who fills a vacancy created by a parent member ceasing to hold office.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6; O. Reg. 281/22, s. 3, 5.

Composition of Committees, Transition

30. (1) A parent involvement committee established or continued under subsection 29 (1) or (2) shall, before October 1, 2011, establish the by-laws required by clause 43 (b).  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) A parent involvement committee established or continued under subsection 29 (1) or (2) shall, before November 15, 2011, and after it complies with subsection (1),

(a)  appoint or elect its members in accordance with section 33; and

(b)  establish terms of office in accordance with section 37.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

31. (1) A parent involvement committee established by a board under subsection 29 (3) shall, before October 1 of the second school year following the calendar year in which the board’s members are first elected, establish the by-laws required by clause 43 (b).  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) A parent involvement committee established by a board under subsection 29 (3) shall, before November 15 of the second school year following the calendar year in which the board’s members are first elected, and after it complies with subsection (1),

(a)  appoint or elect its members in accordance with section 33; and

(b)  establish terms of office in accordance with section 37.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

32. (1) This section applies with respect to a parent involvement committee established by a board under subsection 29 (2) or (3), until the day the committee meets its obligations under section 30 or 31, as the case may be.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) Until a parent involvement committee established under subsection 29 (2) or (3) meets its obligations under section 30 or 31, as the case may be, sections 33, 34, 35, 37, 38 and 43 do not apply to the committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(3) The board shall appoint the following people to the committee:

1.  The number of parent members the board determines appropriate.

2.  The director of education of the board.

3.  One member of the board.

4.  The number of community representatives, up to three, the board determines appropriate.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(4) A person is qualified to be appointed by the board as a parent member of the committee if he or she is a parent.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6; O. Reg. 281/22, s. 3, 5.

(5) A parent who is employed by the board is qualified to be appointed by the board to the committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6; O. Reg. 281/22, s. 5.

(6) A parent referred to in subsection (5) shall, at his or her first committee meeting, inform the committee of his or her employment with the board.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6; O. Reg. 281/22, s. 5.

(7) The parent members appointed by the board shall elect a parent member to serve as chair or parent members to serve as co-chairs of the committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6; O. Reg. 281/22, s. 5.

(8) The chair or co-chairs shall act as spokespersons for the committee in communicating with the director of education of the board and the board.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(9) Community representatives appointed by the board to the committee shall not be members or employees of the board.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(10) The board may appoint one or more of the individuals listed in subsection 33 (2) to the committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(11) An appointment of an individual listed in subsection 33 (2) is of no effect unless the individual agrees to the appointment.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(12) In appointing members to the committee, the board shall ensure that parent members constitute a majority of the members of the committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(13) In the event that an individual appointed to a parent involvement committee under subsection (3) vacates his or her position on the committee, the board shall appoint another individual to the position.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(14) In the event that an individual appointed to a parent involvement committee under subsection (10) vacates his or her position on the committee, the board may appoint another individual to the position.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

Composition of Committees, General

33. (1) A parent involvement committee of a board shall include the following:

1.  The number of parent members specified in the by-laws of the committee.

2.  The director of education of the board.

3.  One member of the board, appointed by the board.

4.  The number of community representatives specified in the by-laws of the committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) Subject to the by-laws of the parent involvement committee, a board may appoint one or more of the following individuals to the parent involvement committee:

1.  One principal of an elementary school of the board.

2.  One principal of a secondary school of the board.

3.  One teacher employed, other than a principal or vice-principal, in an elementary school of the board.

4.  One teacher employed, other than a principal or vice-principal, in a secondary school of the board.

5.  One person employed by the board, other than a principal, vice-principal or teacher.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(3) A parent involvement committee shall appoint or elect members to the committee before November 15 of the school year and before the first meeting of the committee in the school year.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(4) In specifying the number of parent members to be appointed or elected to a parent involvement committee in its by-laws, the committee shall ensure that parent members constitute a majority of the members of the committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(5) The term of office of the member of the board appointed under paragraph 3 of subsection (1) shall be determined by the board.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(6) Community representatives appointed to a parent involvement committee shall not be members or employees of the board.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(7) The board shall make any appointments under subsection (2) before November 15 of the school year and before the first meeting of the parent involvement committee in the school year.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(8) An appointment to a parent involvement committee under subsection (2) is of no effect unless the person agrees to the appointment.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

2020-2021 School Year

33.1 (1) This section applies for the purposes of the 2020-2021 school year. O. Reg. 674/20, s. 5.

(2) Despite subsection 33 (3), a parent involvement committee shall appoint or elect members to the committee on or before November 30, 2020 and before the first meeting of the parent involvement committee in the school year. O. Reg. 674/20, s. 5.

(3) Despite subsection 33 (7), the board shall make any appointments under subsection 33 (2) on or before November 30, 2020 and before the first meeting of the parent involvement committee in the school year. O. Reg. 674/20, s. 5.

Parent Members

34. (1) Parent members shall be appointed or elected to a parent involvement committee under section 33, in accordance with the by-laws of the committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) A person is qualified to be appointed or elected under section 33 as a parent member of a parent involvement committee if he or she is a parent.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6; O. Reg. 281/22, s. 3, 5.

(3) A person is qualified to be appointed or elected under section 33 as a parent member of a parent involvement committee of a board if he or she is employed by the board.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6; O. Reg. 281/22, s. 3.

(4) A parent member referred to in subsection (3) shall, at his or her first committee meeting, inform the committee of his or her employment with the board.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6; O. Reg. 281/22, s. 5.

Vacancies

35. (1) A board shall ensure that vacancies in parent member positions on its parent involvement committee are advertised through a variety of methods.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) Methods of advertising vacancies in parent member positions on a parent involvement committee include,

(a)  advertisements in newsletters of schools or school councils of schools of the board;

(b)  advertisements in newspapers with general circulation in the geographic jurisdiction of the board;

(c)  advertisements on radio or television stations that broadcast in the geographic jurisdiction of the board;

(d)  notices in schools of the board; and

(e)  notices on the board’s website and on the websites of the board’s schools.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

36. A vacancy in the membership of a parent involvement committee does not prevent the committee from exercising its authority.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

Term of Office

37. (1) The term of office of some of the parent members of a parent involvement committee shall be one year and the term of office of some of the parent members shall be two years, as provided in the by-laws of the committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) A member of a parent involvement committee may be reappointed or re-elected to the committee for more than one term unless otherwise provided in the by-laws of the committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

Officers

38. (1) A parent involvement committee shall have a chair or, if the by-laws of the committee so provide, co-chairs.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) The chair or co-chairs of a parent involvement committee must be parent members of the committee and shall be elected for a two-year term by the parent members of the committee at the first meeting of the committee in each school year that there is a vacancy in the office of chair or co-chair.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(3) Only parent members with a two-year term are eligible to be elected to the position of chair or co-chair.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(4) An individual may not serve more than two consecutive terms as chair or co-chair of a parent involvement committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(5) An individual who has served one term or two consecutive terms as chair or co-chair of a parent involvement committee may be re-elected as chair or co-chair of the committee provided at least one two-year term has elapsed since his or her last term as chair or co-chair.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(6) The chair or co-chairs of a parent involvement committee shall act as spokespersons for the committee in communicating with the director of education of the board and the board.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(7) A parent involvement committee may have such other officers as are provided for in the by-laws of the committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(8) A vacancy in the office of chair, co-chair or any office provided for in the by-laws of a parent involvement committee, shall be filled in accordance with the by-laws of the committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

Remuneration

39. (1) A person shall not receive any remuneration for serving as a member of a parent involvement committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) Subsection (1) does not preclude payment of an honorarium under section 191 of the Act that takes into account the attendance of a board member at a parent involvement committee meeting.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(3) A board shall establish policies respecting the reimbursement of members of its parent involvement committee for expenses incurred as members of the committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(4) A board shall reimburse members of its parent involvement committee for expenses incurred as members of the committee in accordance with the policies referred to in subsection (3).  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

Meetings

40. (1) A parent involvement committee shall meet at least four times in each school year.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) A meeting of a parent involvement committee cannot be held unless,

(a)  a majority of the members present at the meeting are parent members;

(b)  the director of education, or the person designated under subsection 46 (1), is present; and

(c)  the member of the board who sits on the committee, or the person designated under subsection 46 (2), is present.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(3) The board shall make available to its parent involvement committee the facilities that the board considers necessary for the proper functioning of the committee, and shall make reasonable efforts to enable members to participate fully in meetings of the committee by electronic means.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(4) A member of a parent involvement committee who participates in a meeting through electronic means shall be deemed to be present at the meeting.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(5) Meetings of a parent involvement committee shall be open to the public and shall be held,

(a)  in person, at a location that is accessible to the public;

(b)  by electronic or telephonic means; or

(c)  both in person, at a location described in clause (a), and by electronic or telephonic means. O. Reg. 674/20, s. 6.

(6) The chair or co-chairs of a parent involvement committee shall ensure that notice of each meeting is provided to all members of the committee at least five days before the meeting by,

(a)  delivering a notice to each member by e-mail or regular mail; and

(b)  posting a notice on the board’s website.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(7) For the purposes of subsection (6), notice by regular mail is provided five days before the meeting if it is mailed five days before the meeting.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

Subcommittees

41. (1) A parent involvement committee may establish subcommittees to make recommendations to the parent involvement committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) A subcommittee of a parent involvement committee must include at least one parent member of the parent involvement committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6; O. Reg. 281/22, s. 5.

(3) A subcommittee of a parent involvement committee may include persons who are not members of the parent involvement committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(4) Subsections 40 (3) to (7) apply, with necessary modifications, to subcommittees of a parent involvement committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

Voting

42. When a parent involvement committee votes on a matter, only parent members and community representative members are entitled to vote.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

By-laws

43. A parent involvement committee,

(a)  may make by-laws governing the conduct of the committee’s affairs; and

(b)  shall make by-laws,

(i)  specifying the number of parent members to be appointed or elected to the committee, governing the process of appointment or election of parent members and governing the filling of vacancies in parent membership,

(ii)  specifying the number of community representatives, up to three, to be appointed to the committee, governing the process of appointment of community representatives and governing the filling of vacancies in community representative membership,

(iii)  governing the election of members of the committee to the offices of chair or co-chair, and any offices provided for in the by-laws, and governing the filling of vacancies in the offices of the committee,

(iv)  specifying the number of parent members of the parent involvement committee that will hold office for one year and the number of parent members that will hold office for two years,

(v)  specifying how many, if any, of the persons listed in subsection 33 (2) may be appointed by the board to the parent involvement committee,

(vi)  specifying the length of the term of office for the community representative members of the parent involvement committee and the members appointed by the board, if any, under subsection 33 (2),

(vii)  establishing rules respecting conflicts of interest of the members of the parent involvement committee, and

(viii)  establishing a process for resolving conflicts internal to the committee, consistent with any conflict resolution policies of the board.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

Minutes and Financial Records

44. (1) A parent involvement committee shall keep minutes of all of its meetings and records of all of its financial transactions.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) A parent involvement committee shall retain the minutes of its meetings and the records of its financial transactions in accordance with the policies of the board, if any, respecting the retention of documents by committees of the board.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(3) The minutes of a parent involvement committee of a board shall be,

(a)  posted on the website of the board that established the committee; and

(b)  sent electronically to the chair or co-chairs of the school council of each school of the board that established the committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(4) The minutes of a committee’s meetings and the records of its financial transactions shall be available for examination at the board’s office by any person without charge for four years.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(5) Minutes posted on the website of the board shall remain on the website for four years.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

Incorporation

45. A parent involvement committee shall not be incorporated.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

Delegation by the Director of Education and the Board Member

46. (1) The director of education of a board may,

(a)  delegate any of his or her powers or duties as a member of the parent involvement committee to a supervisory officer employed by the board; and

(b)  designate a supervisory officer of the board to attend a meeting of the parent involvement committee in his or her place.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) The member of a board who sits on a parent involvement committee may,

(a)  delegate any of his or her powers or duties as a member of the parent involvement committee to another member of the board; and

(b)  designate a member of the board to attend the meetings of the parent involvement committee in his or her place.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

Consultation by Board

47. (1) A board may solicit and take into consideration the advice of its parent involvement committee with regard to matters that relate to improving student achievement and well-being.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) The board shall inform the parent involvement committee of its response to advice provided to it by the committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

Consultation by Ministry

48. The Ministry may solicit and take into consideration the advice of parent involvement committees with regard to matters that relate to improving student achievement and well-being.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

Consultation by Parent Involvement Committee

49. A parent involvement committee may solicit and take into consideration the advice of parents of pupils enrolled in schools of the board with regard to matters under consideration by the committee.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

Summary of Activities

50. (1) A parent involvement committee of a board shall annually submit a written summary of the committee’s activities to the chair of the board and to the board’s director of education.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(2) The summary of activities shall include a report on how funding, if any, provided under the Education Act for parent involvement described in section 27 and clauses 28 (a) to (d), was spent.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

(3) The director of education shall,

(a)  provide the summary of activities to the school councils of the schools of the board; and

(b)  post the summary of activities on the website of the board.  O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.

 

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