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Bylaws
BYLAWS OF IRVINGTON PRESCHOOL Located at (503) 287-3288
Article I: NAME Irvington Preschool is the legally assumed business name of Westminster Preschool, Inc.
Article II: DESCRIPTION Westminster Preschool, Inc. is an independent, non-profit Oregon corporation and tax exempt under IRC§501 (C) (3). It is a cooperative organization of parents of preschool children ages three four, and five years old that conducts supervised preschool for children, educates parents and includes parents in the daily teaching staff.
Article III: PURPOSE Irvington Preschool’s goal is to provide a stimulating and creative learning environment that encourages the development of each child’s positive self-image and social skills through both structured and unstructured play experiences in the areas of art, music, science, physical education, dramatic play, and reading and math readiness. To enhance these experiences, the curriculum utilizes community resources both in and outside the classroom.
Article IV: AFFILIATIONS A. The school shall retain membership in Parent Cooperative Preschools International (PCPI) and Parent Child Preschools of Oregon (PCPO) as long as approved by members. B. Members shall take out membership in other professional organizations upon member approval.
Article V: MEMBERSHIP A. Admission Requirements 1. Irvington Preschool does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin or sexual orientation in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and other school-administered programs. 2. Membership is limited to parents of children three, four and five years old who desire a cooperative preschool experience. 3. Eligibility for each class will be determined as Portland Public Schools establishes admission for that child’s Kindergarten year. Children whose birthdates fall between September 1 and October 31 may be considered for admission on an individual basis by petition. Acceptance will be based on teacher recommendation to the Executive Board. Petitions will be considered starting August 1 if enrollment is not full. 4. All families must provide proof that the child has had all immunizations required by the State of Oregon and /or Multnomah County Department of Medical Services or holds a medical or religious exemption as provided by Oregon law. 5. Except for infants under the age of six months, a child who is not registered in the class may not accompany the parent helper. B. Obligations 1. One parent, but preferably both, will attend a parent helper training session or observe in the classroom before assuming parent help duties. Parent helper duties will be set up on a rotation basis. 2. Parent helpers other than the parents of a child in the preschool (e.g., grandparents) must be approved by the Executive Board. 3. One, but preferably both, parents will attend all meetings. 4. Each family will be assigned a committee responsibility that it must fulfill. 5. Each family must contribute a specified number of service hours per year Board members are exempt from this obligation. 6. Each family must meet a fundraising obligation per year per child. 7. Each family must pay monthly tuition per child as set by the Board and approved by the Members. A first and last month tuition and a one-time application fee must be received by the Treasurer before the family will be officially registered. 8. Each family must either pay a supply fee or purchase supplies from the teacher’s list by the first day of school. 9. Any parent’s failure to fulfill these obligations shall be brought before the Executive Board for review and may result in revocation of membership. C. Revocation of Membership 1. Membership in Irvington Preschool may be revoked by the Executive Board after giving the Member at least 15 days written notice by first class or certified mail. The notice must (a) include the reasons for revocation of membership and (b) inform the Member of the right of appeal. 2. A Member who is notified that membership will be revoked has a right to appeal the decision to the Executive Board. A written notice of appeal, which shall include (a) a statement that the Member wishes to appeal the revocation decision and (b) any information the Member wishes to provide to the Executive Board, must be delivered to the President of the Executive Board no later than the 15th day after notice of revocation is given under paragraph (1) above. The appeal will be heard by the Executive Board in a closed session at which the appealing Member is present within 7 days of receiving the notice of appeal. 3. If the appeal is denied, the decision of the Board shall be final. D. Quorum and Voting
E. Proxy Voting There shall be no voting by proxy.
Article IV: OPERATIONS
A. Registration for the next academic year shall begin after January 1 on a date to be determined by the Executive Board with top priority being given to current Members and second priority to alumni. Registration shall be open to the general public at a spring open house, after which enrollment of vacancies not filled by current Members or alumni shall be determined by a lottery drawing at which at least three members of the Executive Board are present. B. Application Fee 1. An application fee will be assessed per application for admission. 2. The Treasurer must receive the application fee in order for alumni families to be enrolled. 3. The Treasurer must receive the application fee before families will be considered in the admissions lottery. 4. All application fees will be placed in the general fund and are nonrefundable. C. Tuition Fees 1. Tuition fees for the first and last month must be received by the Treasurer before the family can be officially registered and are nonrefundable except by discretion of the Executive Board. 2. Tuition fees are due on the first of the month. 3. Tuition fees not received by the fifth of the month will be delinquent. A late fee may be imposed. The Executive Board will review repeated delinquency in payment of tuition. 4. Tuition fees may be raised or lowered as recommended by the Executive Board and approved by the majority of the Members. 5. Tuition refunds will not be granted to any family except by discretion of the Executive Board. D. Enrollment shall be set annually by the Executive Board in consultation with the teacher. Enrollment shall not exceed 18 children per class. E. Calendar 1. The school year shall be set by the Executive Board and generally follow that of the Portland Public Schools. It will terminate during the last week of May unless the Executive Board and the teacher agree to add days to replace any lost to snow closure or other circumstances. 2. Preschool for the Caterpillar Class (three- and four-year-olds) will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 3. Preschool for the Butterfly Class (four- and five-year-olds) will meet Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. F. The procedure for resolving discipline problems shall be as follows: 1. The teacher shall talk with the parents of the child. 2. If the problem persists, the teacher will talk with the parents again and notify the Executive Board. 3. If the problem continues, the parents of the child, the teacher and the Executive Board shall meet to discuss the problem. If unable to resolve the situation, the Executive Board may suspend the child. G. No change of curriculum or other teaching matter can be brought before a meeting or executed without prior discussion with the teacher and the Executive Board. H. The Preschool shall carry insurance satisfactory to the membership. I. Any member of the Executive Board may request an audit of the Preschool’s financial records.
Article VII: EXECUTIVE BOARD A. The Executive Board members and their duties are as follows: 1. President a. Shall preside at meetings. b. Shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. c. Shall be spokesperson for the Executive Board and the Preschool. When desirable, the President may designate another Member to be the Preschool representative. d. Shall negotiate a contract with the teacher by March 15. The contract shall be signed and returned by April 15, and copies shall be given to the President, the teacher, and the Treasurer. e. Shall assist the Treasurer in compiling the annual budget. f. Shall be a signatory on the Preschool’s bank account. g. Shall oversee assigned standing committees.
2. Vice President, Membership a. Shall assist the President in all activities. b. Shall administer the registration of all new Members, including but not limited to: 1. explaining responsibilities of a cooperative preschool to parents; 2. receiving all registration membership forms; 3. maintaining a waiting list. c. Shall oversee assigned standing committees. 3. Vice President, Fundraising a. Shall oversee all fundraising activities. b. Shall assist Vice President, Membership with membership responsibilities when needed. c. Shall oversee assigned standing committees. 4. Secretary a. Shall keep minutes of the meeting. b. Shall open and distribute the mail and carry on all correspondence as directed by the President. c. Shall keep attendance records. d. Shall keep an official copy of the bylaws and issue a copy of it to parents of each child registered. e. Shall act as Registered Agent of the Preschool. f. Shall assist the Treasurer with payroll. g. Shall verify reconciliations of monthly bank statements. h. Shall oversee assigned standing committees. 5. Treasurer a. Shall compile the annual budget. b. Shall disburse all funds as required. c. Shall assure that all expenditures and obligations are in accordance with budget authorized by the School. d. Shall notify parents delinquent of tuition payment. e. Shall compile necessary financial reports and file tax returns. f. Shall make a financial report at meetings when requested. g. Shall be a signatory on the Preschool’s bank account. h. Shall oversee assigned standing committees. 6. Three-Year-Old Representative a. Shall represent the three-year-old class in the absence of a parent of a child in the three-year-old class on the board in another position. b. Shall be nominated and elected at the September General Membership Meeting in the year the member will serve. B. Operation of the Executive Board 1. Election of Officers a. The Executive Board shall appoint a nominating committee. The committee shall field nominations of interested individuals for all Board positions and notify the Membership of nominees. b. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at a General Membership Meeting. c. Election of Board members shall take place before the end of the school year. d. The current Executive Board shall continue to handle all Preschool business until the last day of the school year. 2. All Executive Board meetings are open to the Membership. 3. The term of office of Board positions shall begin the day following the last day of the school year and conclude on the last day of the subsequent school year. C. Duties of the Executive Board 1. Shall attend to all operating details not assigned elsewhere. 2. Shall act for the Membership. 3. Shall appoint chairs for standing committees. D. Vacancies Vacancies on the Board of Directors will be filled by a majority vote of the General Membership. E. Quorum and Voting A quorum at a Board meeting shall be three Board members. If a quorum is present, action is taken by the affirmative vote of a majority of Board members present. F. Regular Meetings Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the time and place to be determined by the Board of Directors.
Article VIII: STANDING COMMITTEES Prior to the start of the school year, the Executive Board will form standing committees. These committees will be responsible for tasks deemed necessary to the Preschool’s operation and will be overseen by an assigned Board Member or the teacher. Each Member family will have a committee assignment and be obligated to perform their duties in the committee as a part of the membership obligation. Article IX: STAFF A. The staff shall consist of an experienced, trained teacher who will be responsible for planning and carrying out a curriculum which meets the objectives of the Preschool. 1. The teacher is an “at will” employee of the Preschool. If necessary, termination of employment shall be discussed and voted upon by the full Membership at a General Membership Meeting. 2. The teacher shall attend monthly General Membership Meetings and Board Meetings. B. A paid assistant and other staff may be hired if deemed advisable by the Executive Board. C. The Executive Board shall arrange for a substitute teacher satisfactory to the Executive Board and the teacher from among the Membership. 1. All substitutes must have current First Aid and CPR Training. D. Parent helpers will complete the daily teaching staff. The Executive Board will determine the number of parent helpers per class. Article X: AMENDMENTS Any amendments to these Bylaws must be approved by a majority of the Executive Board and, if so approved, be presented at the General Membership Meeting for discussion. At the next General Membership Meeting, they shall be voted on. Any amendment must be approved by a majority of the Membership attending the General Membership Meeting.
Last updated by lluthi on Aug 17, 2008 at 09:12 PM |
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