Adopted: September 2012
Revised: September 2020
Download 801.2AR - Legislative Advisory Council
1. Purpose
The purpose of the Legislative Advisory Council is to enhance community understanding of legislative proposals that impact District 196 and promote citizen involvement in the legislative process.
2. Role
2.1 The LAC gives input on the district’s legislative platform, reviews suggestions submitted by citizens and staff and, as appropriate, provides input to the School Board regarding proposed legislation.
2.2 The LAC shall provide the board and administration with input on:
2.2.1 Legislative priorities;
2.2.2 Possible effects of proposed legislation, and
2.2.3 The cost impact of proposed legislation.
2.3 The LAC reviews the long-range effects of legislation on the district.
2.4 The LAC reviews and provides input on specific legislative issues, as identified by the School Board or the administration.
3. Membership
3.1 The LAC is comprised of seven at-large citizen members with experience in government affairs lobbying and/or the legislative process and one representative from each of the following District 196 advisory councils and committees who are direct stakeholders in the school district (a district resident, the parent or guardian of a district student, or a district employee):
3.1.1 Budget Advisory Council
3.1.2 Curriculum and Instruction Advisory Council
3.1.3 Community Education Advisory Council
3.1.4 Early Childhood Family Services Advisory Council
3.1.5 Equity Advisory Council
3.1.6 Integration and Educational Equity Advisory Council
3.1.7 Native American Parent Advisory Committee
3.1.8 River Valley Project Explore Advisory Council
3.1.9 Special Education Advisory Council
3.2 The district Communications Director and members of the School Board Legislative Committee serve as ex-officio members of the LAC.
3.3 Member terms begin July 1 and end June 30. Terms of citizen members last two years and are staggered, with three or four positions up each year. Terms of members appointed by advisory councils or committees last one year.
3.4 Selection of Members –
3.4.1 Openings for the seven at-large citizen members are publicized in district communications and local medial.
3.4.1.1 Applications (District Procedure 801.2P) are accepted until May 31 for two-year terms beginning July 1. Applicant recruitment may take place after May 31 until as late as July 1 for openings for which there are no applicants.
3.4.1.2 After May 31, the district Communications Director and members of the School Board Legislative Committee review applications and recommend candidates for at-large citizen member positions.
3.4.1.3 The School Board approves at-large citizen members.
3.4.2 Openings for advisory council or committee representatives to the LAC are appointed annually by each advisory council or committee. Should no one from the advisory council or committee be willing or able to serve, the position will go unfilled until the next calendar year.
3.5 Officers – At its first meeting each year, the LAC elects officers, including a chairperson and vice-chairperson, or co-chairpersons from the committee.
3.5.1 The chairperson or co-chairperson presides at all meetings.
3.5.2 The vice chairperson, if the LAC chooses to elect one, performs the duties of the chairperson in the absence of the chairperson.
3.5.3 The Communications Director ensures that minutes are taken at each meeting and maintains a copy in district records.
3.6 Expectations and Roles of Members
3.6.1 Due to the limited duration of the Minnesota legislative session, LAC members are encouraged to attend all meetings of the LAC and as many legislative events and visits as possible.
3.6.2 The LAC is a nonpartisan committee and members are expected to maintain neutrality regarding party politics.
4. Meetings
4.1 The LAC holds at least four meetings each year, as determined by the council, and members communicate electronically between meetings.
4.2 LAC meetings are publicized on the district website and to local media.
4.3 LAC meetings are open to the public. The LAC chairperson or co-chairperson may, at his or her discretion, permit members of the public to address the council.