ELPAC Bylaws
Article 1. NAME
The council is named the Hopkinton English Learner Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC).
Article 2. AUTHORITY
1. The Hopkinton ELPAC is formed following the provisions of Mass General Laws Chapter 71A English Learner Education and 603 CMR 14.09: English Learner Parent Advisory Councils.
Article 3. PURPOSE & DUTIES OF THE ELPAC
1. The purpose of the Hopkinton ELPAC is to build and maintain an alliance between the parents/guardians of English learners (ELs) and former English learners (FELs) and the Hopkinton Public Schools to ensure a welcoming environment where multilingual students and families of all backgrounds feel included and supported, and where students are able to flourish socially, emotionally, and academically.
2. The duties of the Hopkinton ELPAC are to:
Provide advice to the district or schools regarding its English Learner Education programs;
Meet regularly with school officials to participate in the planning and development of programs designed to improve educational opportunities for ELs;
Participate in the review of school improvement plans and district improvement plans as the plans relate to ELs;
Review proposals by the school district to offer a new instructional program for ELs;
Review requests to the school district from 1% or more of all families to open a new language instructional program;
Promote a network of parents/guardians of ELs and FELs and provide a forum to share information and discuss matters of concern;
Promote communication on issues pertaining to educational and developmental opportunities for ELs among ELPAC members, other parent councils in the district, district staff and administration, the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, local community groups, and the public as the ELPAC may wish;
Request information from the school district in order to fulfill its duties.
The Hopkinton Public Schools should assist the ELPAC in scheduling meetings, finding meeting space, publicizing meetings to families, and providing language assistance.
Article 4. MEMBERSHIP
1. As required in 603 CMR 14.09(4), ELPAC voting membership is open to:
any parent/guardian of a student currently identified as an English learner; or
any parent/guardian of a student who has been identified as an English learner in the past.
2. Duties of Members:
Fulfill the duties of the ELPAC outlined in Article 3;
Attend the ELPAC meetings.
3. Voting members can vote in the annual election of officers or any other business that comes before any ELPAC meeting.
Article 5. OFFICERS
1. Election of Officers
ELPAC members may be nominated or self-nominated to become an officer.
ELPAC officers are elected annually.
Elections are decided by a simple majority vote of the voting membership.
2. Office and officer responsibilities of the Hopkinton ELPAC:
Chairperson:
Set the agenda for each meeting, in consultation with other ELPAC members;
Share out the agenda at least 72 hours in advance of each meeting;
Lead the meetings of the ELPAC;
Act as a liaison with the staff person assigned to assist the ELPAC;
Perform other duties identified by the ELPAC;
Assign secretarial duties to an ELPAC member in the absence of the Secretary.
Co-Chairperson:
Lead the meetings of the ELPAC if the Chairperson is absent;
Assist the Chairperson at his/her request;
Perform other duties identified by the ELPAC.
Secretary:
Take minutes at ELPAC meetings and keep an electronic file of the minutes;
Maintain and update the ELPAC membership list;
Perform other duties identified by the ELPAC.
Article 6. MEETINGS
- The Hopkinton ELPAC meets at least three times per school year. The ELPAC may schedule additional meetings as needed or desired by ELPAC members.
- Notice of the ELPAC meetings may be distributed to parents/guardians of ELs and FELs in the following ways, although not limited to: social media, flyers, School Committee meetings, communications from principals and teachers, and the ELPAC website.
- Non-voting guests may attend ELPAC meetings.
Article 7. AMENDING THE BYLAWS & MAKING OTHER DECISIONS
1. These bylaws may be amended, and other decisions made, by a simple majority of the voting members at a general meeting.
Adopted on _3/3/2021_