W. Va. Code R. § 126-11A-3

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 49, December 6, 2024

Section 126-11A-3 - Organization of Local School Improvement Councils

3.1. Local School Improvement Councils LSICs represent the voice of the community's education stakeholders. Thus members contribute diverse expertise and insight to address complex issues and propose solutions that ultimately benefit students.

3.1.a. W. Va. Code § 18-5A-2 defines the members of LSICs. While these members are entitled to vote, nothing prohibits expanding the membership of LSICs to include non-voting members or to request other stakeholders to participate in meetings of the LSIC.

3.1.b. Principals are encouraged to elect new LSIC members in May or June so that LSIC members are in place by July 1 and can play an active role in summer activities, strategic plan development, orientations and transition activities, etc. However, the school principal shall arrange for LSIC election of members to be held prior to the fifteenth day of September of each school year (W. Va. Code § 18-5A-2).

3.1.c. The school principal shall ensure that all LSIC members receive appropriate training regarding the roles and responsibilities of LSIC members to create a highly effective LSIC. The West Virginia Department of Education (hereinafter WVDE) has developed online materials that may be used for LSIC member training sessions.

3.2. As soon as possible after the election of LSIC members, school principals are encouraged to convene the first meeting of the LSIC (as soon as practicable after July 1 of the current school year). However, the principal shall convene an organizational meeting of the LSIC (W. Va. Code § 18-5A-2) no later than the first day of October of each school year. At this first meeting, the LSIC elects from its membership a chair and two members to assist the chair in setting the agenda for each LSIC meeting. The principal of the school shall not serve as the LSIC chair.

3.2.a. The LSIC must meet at least once every nine weeks or equivalent grading period at the call of the chair or by three fourths of its members.

3.2.a.1. All meetings of the LSIC must be open to the public in compliance with the provisions of the Open Governmental Proceedings Act (W. Va. Code § 6-9A-2(6)).

3.2.b. Each LSIC shall adopt a set of bylaws or meeting procedures. The WVDE provides resources and technical assistance for conducting effective LSIC meetings.

W. Va. Code R. § 126-11A-3