Constitution and By-Laws
January 16, 2010
Missouri K-8 Schools Association
Constitution and By-Laws
(Revision May 2005)
Constitution
Mission
The Missouri K-8 Association exists to preserve the integrity of K-8 districts by sharing common resources, improving efficiency and expanding opportunities through collaborative efforts.
Philosophy
The Missouri K-8 Schools Association’s philosophy regarding the accomplishment of its mission encompasses a commitment to the following beliefs:
v Children’s early years in school are the most crucial to their future.
v A school’s first and foremost concern must be the progress and welfare of all its students.
v Each child has integrity and worth and should be helped to achieve his/her full potential.
v K-8 school districts provide unique opportunities for all students to be included in all school activities, thus enhancing their confidence and feelings of self-worth.
v Parents and patrons feel a strong sense of identity with the school and therefore, typically exhibit great commitment and personal involvement with their child’s progress and the total educational experience.
v Larger education facilities do not necessarily provide better educational services to its students.
v K-8 districts are in a position whereby they can enhance the development of the total child; to meet ever child’s educational, social, emotional, and physical need.
Goals
I. Enhance the status and visibility of K-8 Districts
Objectives
Ø Continue to sponsor an annual conference for K-8 school district administrators, representatives, and board members.
Ø Develop and promote an external communication system for K-8 districts utilizing any or all of the following: delegate system, publications, website, legislative and educational agency contacts.
Ø Annually appear in the list of Education-Related Organizations published in the DESE directory.
Ø Develop and maintain a relationship with mass media so that exemplary practices, honors, and recognition of K-8 school districts can be publicized in a timely and effective manner.
II. Influence legislation and decisions on the local, state, and federal level that strengthen K-8 education.
Objectives
Ø Develop an annual legislative platform
Ø Invite State Board Members and DESE members to the annual conferences to create a forum for any of the following:
a. Conduct workshops
b. Make presentations
c. Serve on discussion panels
( Actively represent the organization)
Ø Provide a forum to ensure that K-8 school board members are kept informed of local, state, and federal issues concerning K-8 education.
III. Continue the preservation, enhancement, and expansion of K-8 school districts.
Objectives
Ø Actively support and encourage initiatives and legislation that positively affects the K-8 Districts.
Ø Actively oppose and resist initiatives and legislation that adversely affect the K-8 Districts.
IV. Develop and maintain a statewide communication network of K-8 Administrators and representatives.
Objectives
Ø Annually elect K-8 Association representatives from each of the eight state areas to serve as a liaison for other K-8 schools in each area.
Ø Develop and maintain a communication system utilizing any of the following:
a. Internet web page
b. Educational agency contacts
IV. Ensure equitable state accreditation standards for K-8 School Districts
Objectives
Ø Address and encourage equitable performance and enforcement of present MSIP standards and process.
By Laws
Revised May 2005
Article I. Definitions
1.1 Member Districts
All school districts signatory to the Association
1.2 Missouri K-8 Schools Association (MO K-8)
The name of the organization by which member district agree to be known
1.3 Bylaws
The written rules/policies of organization adopted by the member districts.
1.4 Executive Board
Elected representatives from the eight supervisory areas of the state, the present officers, and the current past-president.
1.5 Effective Date
The effective date is the date upon which member participation begins
1.6 Representative
The superintendent or chief school administrator charged with the performance of the Association agreement, the functioning of the Association, and the fulfillment of purpose.
1.7 Alternative Representative
The duly appointed member district alternate person representing the member district on the Executive Board in the absence or unavailability of the representative. The representation on the board will have one vote.
1.8 Membership Fees
Adopted fees/charges for district participation
1.9 Approved Education Activities
Activities authorized by the voting members
1.10 Officers
The officers of the organization shall be President, President Elect, and Past President.
1.11 Terms of Office
The president, president elect and past president shall serve one year terms.
1.12 Election of Officers
Officers will be elected from the member schools by a majority vote of the membership present at the annual conference.
1.13 Meetings
The meetings will be governed by Roberts Rules of Order. The association calendar will be established by the Executive Board and adopted by the general membership at the annual conference.
1.14 Duties and Powers of the Executive Board
The executive board may appoint, elect or employ any person or organization to help them achieve the mission of this organization. An executive director shall be responsible to the executive board and the compensation shall be set by the executive board.
1.15 Duties and Powers of the Officers
a. President – The president shall preside over all executive board meetings, the annual conference and any other called/special meeting of the association
b. President Elect – The vice president shall fill the duties of the president during his/her absence
c. Past President – The past president shall serve as a consultant for the association and will be a voting member of the executive board.
d. Executive Director – The executive director shall be responsible for the following:
§ Minutes of all meetings of the association. These minutes shall be presented in writing for correction/adoption at the next scheduled meeting for the representative group.
§ Responsible for receiving and dispensing funds
§ Maintain accurate records of all financial transactions related to the association and present these documents to the executive board twice annually.
§ Maintain a state web site for the Association.
§ Be responsible for the annual conference.
1.16 Replacement of Officers
Officers will be replaced by majority vote of the executive board. If the president is replaced, the president elect may fill the vacancy and a new replacement elected.
Article II. General
2.1 Name
The member districts shall conduct a cooperative effort in preserving the integrity of all K-8 school districts. The name of the organization designed to promote this activity is known as THE MISSOURI K-8 ASSOCIATION. (MO K-8)
2.2 Legal Authority
The federal and state laws that govern school organizations and activities shall apply to, govern and control this association.
2.3 Board Authority
The member districts executing this agreement and becoming signatories hereto do so upon express authority of the respective school boards of the member districts. Said authority being duly granted at an appropriate and legally called, noticed, and convened regular or special meeting of said school boards.
2.4 Limitation
A declaration of finding of illegality or invalidity concerning any part of this cooperative effort or development of the mission of the association shall not constitute a declaration or finding of total illegality or invalidity.
Article III. Purpose
3.1 In General
The development of this association has as its general purpose the preservation of local ownership of community schools. Included in the general purpose aforesaid is the delivery of educational services beneficial to and approved by member districts. In addition, the identification, refinement and utilization of available resources without giving up local control are included.
3.2 Defined
The primary purpose of this collaborative effort is to unite K-8 school districts within the state to address ways to improve community ownership, provide better working conditions for the professional staff and evaluate student academic performance through cooperative strategies among the membership.
Article IV. Effective Date
4.1 History
Initial attempts to unite and organize the remaining K-8 districts began in the spring of 1998. Administrators from Taneyville, Mark Twain, and Kirbyville organized the first statewide conference for K-8 administrators. The conference was held at the Chateau on the Lake in Branson, Missouri on April 2nd and 3rd, 1998.
4.2 New Membership
School district must give notification of intent to participate in the program by September 30 to begin membership in the fiscal year beginning July 1 of the same year.
Article V. Fiscal Year
5.1 Fiscal year
The Missouri K-8 Schools Association shall operate on a fiscal year commencing on July 1 of each year and terminating on June 30th of the following year.
Article VI. Governing Board
6.1 Name
The Missouri K-8 Schools Association shall be directed by a committee known as the Executive Board.
6.2 Authority
The executive board shall be responsible for the performance of the agreements and understandings of the member districts and the fulfillment of the stated purpose of the organization.
6.3 Representative
The executive board shall be composed of the Association Officers and a representative annually elected by each state area. This representative should be the superintendent or chief school administrator of a member district. Each district may also appoint an alternate representative who shall serve in the absence or unavailability of the representative.
6.4 Officers
The Association officers will be elected from the membership by those present at the annual conference, these officers will conduct meetings and ensure appropriate records and journals are maintained.
6.5 Vote
Each representative or alternate shall be entitled to one vote on any given item at all meetings.
6.6 Agenda
The president, with input from all area representatives, shall be responsible for the preparation of the meeting agenda.
6.7 Quorum
A quorum shall consist of the presence of representatives or alternates of six of the eight member districts.
6.8 Affirmative vote
Matters submitted for vote at the executive board meeting shall be approved upon affirmative vote of a simple majority of the total number of members present.
6.9 Open meetings
The executive board as a public governmental body shall be subject to the Missouri Open Meetings Laws, Section 610.010 to 610.030. Its meetings, records, and votes shall be open to the public. The board reserves the right, as provided by law, to conduct closed meetings, including any records of votes, to the extent that they relate to those areas of concern established by state and federal laws.
6.10 Records
The executive board minutes shall be appropriately recorded in books or journals, which shall be maintained at the home of the executive secretary. Said records will be available for inspection by anyone upon reasonable request and at reasonable times.
6.11 Other Appointments
The executive board may appoint and direct outside agencies to perform duties necessary to fulfill its purpose, subject, however, to the direction of the membership at large.
6.12 Subcommittees
Subcommittees may be appointed by the executive board and may be assigned specific or limited purposes. Committee members shall report to the executive board.
6.13 Budget
The executive board shall prepare and submit to the membership for approval a budget for the operations of the association on an annual basis.
6.14 Planning
The executive board may develop long-range plans for the organizational structure and potential partnerships with other associations.
Article VII. Member Districts
7.1 Eligibility
Any K-8 school district in the state of Missouri.
7.2 Effective Date
The effective date upon which a school district becomes a member district shall be on July 1, following the school district’s election to participate in the collaborative effort.
7.3 Withdrawal
A member district may withdraw from the Association by written notice of intent.
Article VIII. Amendment
8.1 Vote
Any article of these by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of all members.
8.2 Procedure
Proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the executive board, which shall thereupon place same upon the records, and in the journals of the association. Upon the presentment of the proposed amendment, the executive board shall in writing forward copies of the amendment to all member district’s representatives or alternates together with an appropriate ballot. An amendment shall be approved if the board has received the required affirmative vote in the time specified. Amendments shall be numbered in sequence as amendment number 1.
