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Page 1 of 6 The roles of the various bodies/institutions: 1. Parents 2. Meetings 3. The Board 4. The Director 5. Financial Matters 6. Adoption/Amendment
1. Parents “Parents” shall mean all parents or legal guardians of children who are enrolled in the School and whose School tuition is duly paid as of the date on which notice is given of a relevant meeting. “Parents” shall include parents or legal guardians of children who receive scholarships to attend the School as well as VIS-teachers with non-fee-paying children attending School. Each fee-paying child gives the right of one (1) vote. Parents shall (hence) be entitled to in total one vote per child enrolled in the School. Parents can be represented by proxy. 1.1 Rights Parents shall have the following rights: - to elect, and to recall, Members of the Board;
- to stand for election to the Board;
- to participate in relevant School meetings;
- to participate on committees of the Board;
- to be informed of decisions of the Board;
- to be informed about the development and well-being of their child or children;
- to call for an Extraordinary General Meeting of Parents in accordance with the procedures described below;
- to suggest items for discussion at Board meetings;
- to vote on and propose amendments to the Statute and these By-Laws;
- to request and obtain copies of the School Statute, By-Laws as well as the policy and financial manuals.
- to be provided with the School Handbook.
1.2 Responsibilities Parents shall have the following responsibilities: - to pay tuition and fees on a timely basis and to keep their account(s) current;
- to provide information to the School relevant to their child’s relationship with the School, if requested (e.g., health inventory, academic, behavioural and/or disciplinary history);
- to be familiar with School policies;
- to abide by the rules, regulations and policies of the School;
to attend in as far as feasible and possible the AGM and the relevant Fora
2 Meetings 2.1 Annual General Meeting An Annual General Meeting shall be called by the Board each September. Other General Meetings can be called by the Board any time, or by a written petition to the Board signed by parents representing 15% of the student-body, which sets forth the subject matter to be addressed at the meeting. Agenda: The agenda for each General Meeting shall be restricted to agenda items contained in the petition or resolution calling the meeting. Each AGM shall give room for teachers’ and other staff reports. Place of Meetings: General Meetings shall be held on the School premises or at such other place as the Board shall designate. Notice of Meeting: Written notice stating the place, day and hour of the General Meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered to parents at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting. Quorum and Voting Requirements: The following quorum and voting requirements shall apply to General Meetings: - 15% of the student-body represented by Parents attending the Meeting in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any General Meeting. - The affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the student-body present at the Meeting shall be required to approve the adoption or amendment of the Statute. - The affirmative vote of 50% + 1 of the student-body present at the Meeting shall be required to approve an amendment to the By-Laws, or any other decision at a General Meeting. Voting Record: The Secretary of the Board or an agent having charge of the school enrollment records shall make a complete record of Parents at each General Meeting or any adjournment thereof, arranged in alphabetical order, with the number of votes held by each Parent. Proxies: At all General Meetings, Parents may vote in person or by proxy executed in writing by the Parent. Such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the Board before or at the time of the meeting, and shall expire immediately thereafter. No Parent may hold the proxies of more than two other Parents. Teachers: Teachers who are entitled to free education for their children will also have Parents’ rights (i.e. one vote per child), but not on matters relating to the status (in a broad sense of the word) of teachers. 2.2 School Forum/Meeting with Teachers A school forum, to be organized at regular intervals and at least 5 times per school year, shall mean a meeting to inform and discuss with the school community as a whole specific issues relating to the well-being of the school and the pupils. Each forum shall be attended by the Director and at least one Board member and shall be open to parents, teachers and staff alike. The Board shall meet at least twice a year with teachers and/or their representatives to discuss relevant subjects and receive input and feedback to enhance the decision-making process of the Board. Individual Board members shall make their best endeavours to be available for meetings with (representatives of) the Student Council(s).
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