Hello PS196Q Families!

We will be holding our election meeting for the 2021-2022 school year on June 15th, 2021 at 7:30pm. Please keep an eye out for emails from your grade leads with details and instructions for election night.

We are taking nominations for all board positions and 2 SLT seats.

Please read attached descriptions of the positions.

You can nominate yourself or someone else.

If you are interested in running for any of the available PA Board and SLT seats, please email info@pa196.org with the following information:

First Name
Last Name
Email address
Phone number
Child’s grade (if multiple, list all)
Position(s) you are running for
You are allowed to run for more than one position on the board but can only serve in one. You cannot hold more than one seat on the board at the same time. You can run for SLT and the board, simultaneously. You can hold one seat on the board and one on the SLT.

When you email your nomination, you will receive a response within 48 hours to confirm your nomination has been received. We ask that you email your nominations no later than May 31st, 2021. You have to be in attendance the night of the vote. If you choose to, you will have an opportunity to make a 3 minute speech about yourself and why you want the position you are running for during the meeting. Please note, “campaigning of any kind is strictly prohibited" as per A-660.

Please see below for detailed descriptions of the PA Executive Board and SLT positions. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out at info@pa196.org. Thank you and enjoy your day.

P.A. Board and SLT Position

Descriptions: PA of PS196Q

“The objectives of the association are to provide support and resources to the school for the benefit and educational growth of the children; to develop a cooperative working relationship between the parents and staff of our school; to develop parent leadership and build capacity for greater involvement; to foster and encourage parent participation on all levels; and to provide opportunities and training for parents to participate in school governance and decision-making.”

Positions to be filled:

· President (2 people may run as Co-Presidents)
· Vice President (3 separate positions)
· Secretary (2 people may run as Co-Secretaries)
· Treasurer (2 people may run as Co-Treasurers)

*To maintain the fairness and integrity of the PS196Q PA Board, a member can only serve in 1 position during a given school year.*

Board Position Descriptions

Description from the Chancellor’s Regulations – President (or Co-Presidents):

“President (or Co-Presidents): The President shall preside at all meetings of the association and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee. The President shall appoint chairpersons of association committees with the approval of the Executive Board. The President shall delegate responsibilities to other association members and shall encourage meaningful participation in all parent and school activities. The President shall attend all regular meetings of the Presidents' Council and shall be a mandatory member of the school leadership team. The President shall meet regularly with the Executive Board members in accordance with these bylaws to plan the agendas for the general membership meetings. The President shall be one of the eligible signatories on checks. The President shall assist with the June transfer of association records to the` Incoming Executive Board. In the event that the association elects Co-Presidents, the Co-Presidents must decide who will serve as the Presidents' Council member and who will serve as the mandatory member of the school leadership team (SLT) and inform the general membership.”

Additional information as it relates to how PA of PS196Q Board functions, responsibilities include:

· Shall communicate all information from the President’s Council to the rest of the board members and general memberhip.

· Hold monthly Executive board meetings before the General PA meeting

· Relay information from the SLT meetings to the general PA meeting members if there is no SLT liaison

· Manage PA calendar of events and activities

· Must attend the Presidents’ Council monthly meetings

*It is highly recommended that the position of President/Co-Presidents be filled by a member who has served on the Executive Board for at least 1 year to ensure continuity and lend to a more seamless transition of responsibilities.

Description from the Chancellor’s Regulations – Vice-President (or Co-Vice Presidents):
“Vice-President (or Co-Vice Presidents): The Vice-President shall assist the President or Co-Presidents and shall assume the President's or Co-Presidents' duties in his/her or their absence or at the President's or Co-Presidents' request. The Vice-President shall be one of the eligible signatories on all checks. The Vice-President shall assist with the June transfer of association records to the incoming Executive Board.”

Additional information as it relates to how PA of PS196Q Board functions, responsibilities include:

· Shall support the Treasurer (Co-Treasurers) when needed

· Shall fill in for any of the executive board members upon request

· Focus on recruiting new families to get involved in the community through committees, events, workshops, etc.

Description from the Chancellor’s Regulations – Recording Secretary (or Co-Secretaries):

“Recording Secretary (or Co-Secretaries): The Recording Secretary shall record minutes at all association meetings. The Recording Secretary’s responsibilities shall include the preparation of notices, agendas, sign-in sheets and materials for distribution. The Recording Secretary shall prepare and read the minutes of each association meeting and shall distribute copies of the minutes at the next scheduled meeting for review and approval by the general membership. The Recording Secretary shall maintain custody of the association's records on school premises. The Recording Secretary shall incorporate all amendments into the bylaws and shall ensure that signed copies of the bylaws with the latest amendments are on file in the Principal's office. The Recording Secretary shall be responsible for reviewing, maintaining and responding to all correspondence addressed to the association. The Recording Secretary shall assist with the June transfer of all association records to the incoming Executive Board.”

Additional information as it relates to how PA of PS196Q Board functions, responsibilities include:

· Create agenda for the PA general membership meetings and coordinate with the rest of the board

· Responsible for writing and publishing the PA Newsletter

· Take notes during the PA general membership meetings, type up and print for distribution/approval at following month’s general membership meeting then forward to website manager to post.

· Print attendance sheets to be filled out by members attending the meeting. Send copies of the attendance sheets to the Parent Coordinator.

· Make copies of all flyers and announcement from to PA and file in official binder.

Description from the Chancellor’s Regulations – Treasurer (or Co-Treasurers):

“Treasurer (or Co-Treasurers): The Treasurer shall be responsible for all financial affairs and funds of the association. The Treasurer shall also be responsible for maintaining an updated record of all income and expenditures on school premises and shall be one of the signatories on checks. The Treasurer shall adhere to and implement all financial procedures established by the association. The Treasurer shall prepare and present a written report of all transactions at every Executive Board and general membership meeting This report must include income, refunds, reimbursements and other expenditures, and opening and closing balances for the reporting period. The Treasurer shall also prepare the association's Interim and annual financial reports. The Treasurer shall make available all books and financial records for viewing by members upon request and for audit. The Treasurer shall assist with the June transfer of all association records to the incoming Executive Board.”

“The 2 signatories of a check may not be related by blood or marriage. Under no circumstances may spouses, siblings, in-laws or other relatives or members of the same household sign the same association check. An association member may not sign a check if she/he has any direct or indirect interest in the expenditure.”

Additional information as it relates to how PA of PS196Q Board functions, responsibilities include

· Prepares annual budget for upcoming academic year

· Maintains permanent records to track funds and reconciles financial transactions of the PA and works closely with bookkeeper

· Processes payment of all expenses (issues check on behalf of the PA)

· Responsible for the annual appeal (largest fundraiser) which kicks off in October

· Submits records for yearly audit (in respect of the year of his/her appointment) by an independent accountant

· Responsible for the collection of the fundraising funds · Responsible for reviewing and/or signing external vendor contracts

· Responsible for overview of After School Program (ASP) financial records

· Issue / signs checks on behalf of the ASP

Additional information from Chancellor’s Regulations (A-660):

“PA/PTA members must be careful to avoid acting in the circumstances in which their personal interests conflict with their interests as PA/PTA members.”

“PA/PTA officers and members must not use their position to benefit themselves, family members, or business associates.”

“Term limits for each officer position of the association shall be two (2) consecutive one-year terms. In the event that no new candidate accepts the nomination for an office after an incumbent’s second term, the incumbent may serve for an additional term.”

Additional information can be found in the PA of PS196Q bylaws, located on the PA here

You can also find a link to the NYC DOE Chancellor’s Regulations on the website.

SLT (School Leadership Team)

There are 2 parent positions open on the SLT for the 2021-2022 school year.

SLT is a two-year commitment so parents of 5th graders (with no other children in the school) are not eligible to run as they will not be able to serve out a two-year term.

The School Leadership Team includes the Principal and a team of equal parts parents and teachers. They meet at least once a month to discuss the CEP (Comprehensive Educational Plan). The principal updates the members on the status of the CEP and the budget as well as any other issues brought to the meeting by the SLT parent liaison. The parent liaison is elected by the SLT and if responsible for taking questions and recommendations from the parents to the SLT and sharing the results of the meetings with the parents during the Parents’ Association general membership meetings.

From the Chancellor’s Regulations:

“School Leadership Teams (SLTs) are vehicles for developing school-based educational policies and ensuring that resources are aligned to implement those policies. SLTs assist in the evaluation and assessment of a school’s educational programs and their effects on student achievement.

SLTs play a significant role in creating a structure for school-based decision-making and shaping the path to a collaborative school culture. New York State Education Law Section 2590-h requires every New York City Public School to have a School Leadership Team. In addition, Chancellor’s Regulation A-655 (CR A-655) establishes guidelines to ensure the formation of effective SLTs in every New York City public school.

An SLT is responsible for developing a school’s Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP). The SLT must be consulted prior to the appointment of a principal or assistant principal candidate to the school.

An SLT provides an annual assessment to the community district or high school superintendent regarding the principal’s record of developing an effective, shared decision-making relationship with the SLT members during the year.”