School Community Council Rules of Order and Procedure
Printed October 2, 2026
These Rules of Order and Procedure were adopted by the Kearns Junior High School Community Council on September 28, 2026. The vote count was 7 approved, 0 not approved, and 2 absent.
The council reviews and updates these rules annually through a formal vote.
Code and Rule References
These Rules of Order and Procedure adhere to all relevant legal requirements for School Community Councils and the School LAND Trust Program, as outlined in Utah Code §§ 53G-7-1202, 53G-7-1203, 53G-7-1206, and 53G-7-13, as well as Utah Administrative Rules R277-477 and R277-491.
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 and off campus Internet filtering is installed and consistently configured to prevent viewing of harmful content by students and school personnel.
In accordance with state board rule regarding school community council expenditures and funding limits: 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.
Council Member Expectations
To promote ethical behavior and respectful discussion, each council member shall:
Attend council meetings on time and come prepared.
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.
Training
Council members will receive annual training to understand their responsibilities. Training is the responsibility of the local school board. Council members receive training before preparing and taking action on School LAND Trust plans and reports.
Open Meetings
All meetings are open to the public, and the public is welcome to attend.
Meeting Agendas and Minutes
The agenda for each upcoming meeting, along with draft minutes from the previous meeting, will be provided to all council members at least one week in advance.
The agenda will be posted on the school website and will include the date, time, and location of the meeting, as well as any proposed action items.
Written minutes will be taken at all meetings. These minutes will be prepared in draft form for approval at the next scheduled meeting.
Once approved, minutes will be retained for three years.
Annual Timeline
The council will create a timeline for the school year. This timeline will include due dates for all required reports and other activities or tasks that the council agrees to undertake or participate in. The timeline will be used to help prepare meeting agendas and ensure the council completes its work efficiently.
Process for Electing the School Community Council
The election will be announced via the weekly Parent Newsletter, email, text message, phone call, and social meeting. Elections will be announced at the start of each school year.
Eligible candidates will express interest in candidacy through a provided Google Form or by completing a paper form in the school's main office.
In the event that there are more candidates than vacancies, patrons will vote by paper ballot in the school's main office.
Membership
The council’s composition ensures a two parent majority and includes at least the following members:
The principal, an ex officio voting member.
1 school employee member.
5 parent members.
Membership is consistent with Utah Code § 53G-7-1202 and matches the council’s Council Membership Form.
Staggered Terms
Council members are elected to two year terms. Terms are staggered so that half of the seats are open each year:
1 school employee position(s) and 4 parent position(s) are elected in even-numbered years.
1 school employee position(s) and 3 parent position(s) are elected in odd-numbered years.
Filling Vacancies
If a full council is not elected, or if a seat becomes vacant during the year, parent members of the council will appoint individuals to fill vacant parent positions, and school employee members will appoint individuals to fill vacant school employee positions.
Member Removal
A council member may be removed from office under the following circumstances:
Member relocation: Council membership may be discontinued when a member’s relocation prevents them from serving on the council.
Attendance: The member fails to attend 3 consecutive regular council meetings without an acceptable reason, such as prior notification to and approval by the council chair.
The process for removal is as follows: present council members will vote to remove the member will take place at the 4th consecutive meeting at which the member is absent. The procedure for filling the resulting vacancy is outlined in the Filling Vacancies section.
Resignation of Members
A council member may resign from their position by providing written notification to the council chair or school principal. The procedure for filling the resulting vacancy is outlined in the Filling Vacancies section.
Election of Officers
At the first meeting of each year after the council is seated, the council will elect a chair from the parent members and a vice-chair from either the parent or school employee members. The principal is not eligible to hold an office.
The chair will conduct meetings, make assignments to council members, and request reports on those assignments. In the chair’s absence, the vice-chair will conduct the meetings. The chair may delegate responsibilities to other council members as needed.
Quorum
A quorum, which is a majority of the council members, is necessary to conduct official business and vote. This quorum requirement does not necessitate a two parent majority.
Conflicts of Interest
Council members must adhere to the conflict of interest policy established by Granite School District. Please refer to Granite School District Community Council webpage for detailed guidelines.
Parliamentary Order and Procedure, Ethical Behavior, and Civil Discourse
Meetings will be conducted and actions taken according to simplified rules of parliamentary procedure as required by Utah Code § 53G-7-1203. Council actions will be decided by motions and voting, with all votes and motions recorded in the meeting minutes.
The council conducts its business in an organized and respectful manner that promotes ethical behavior and civil discourse. The simplified rules of parliamentary procedure the council follows can also be found in the district community council handbook.
Simplified Motions of Parliamentary Procedure
Motion
Does it require a second?
Is it debatable?
Can it be amended?
Is a vote required?
Adjourn
yes
no
no
majority
Amend a motion
yes
yes
yes
majority
Close nominations
yes
no
yes
2/3
Main motion
yes
yes
yes
majority
Point of order
no
no
no
ruled on by chair
Previous question
yes
no
no
2/3
Reconsider
yes
yes
no
majority
Withdrawal of motion
no
no
no
majority
Understanding the motions:
Motion: A formal proposal for the council to take a specific action. A motion must be stated clearly.
Second: Another council member must indicate their support for the motion to allow it to be discussed and voted upon.
Discussion: Once a motion is seconded, council members can offer their input and opinions when recognized by the chair.
Voting: After discussion, the chair will call for a vote on the motion. The outcome depends on the type of motion and the required majority.
Calling the previous question: A member can make a motion to end the discussion on the current motion by saying, “I move the previous question.” This requires a second and a two-thirds vote to pass. If it passes, the council immediately votes on the original motion without further discussion. If it fails, the council continues discussing the original motion.
Tie vote: A vote that results in an equal number of votes for and against the motion is considered a lost vote.
Main motion: The primary type of motion used to introduce new business or ideas. Main motions can be debated and amended.
Amend a motion: A motion to change the wording or details of the main motion. Amendments require a second, are debatable, and require a majority vote.
Point of order: A member raises a point of order if they believe a procedural error has occurred during the meeting. The chair will rule on whether the point is valid.
Reconsider: A motion to bring back a previously decided motion for further discussion and another vote. This motion can only be made by a member who voted on the winning side of the original motion, and requires a second and a majority vote.
Withdrawal of motion: The person who originally made a motion can ask to withdraw it before a vote is taken. This does not require a second or debate and is usually granted by the chair.
Close nominations: A motion to end the process of nominating candidates for an office. It requires a second and a two-thirds vote.