6. COMMITTEES

6.1 FORMS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

6.1.1 A county-wide standing committee shall be established to review forms that originate from any office within the school system to be completed by other divisions, other departments, principals, teachers, students or parents. The Association shall name 50 percent of the committee members.

6.1.2 The goal of this committee shall be to recommend the reduction of as much paperwork as possible.

6.2 TEST COMMITTEE

6.2.1 A county-wide test writing committee shall be appointed whenever the school system anticipates developing or revising a student test for any specific subject area, program, or grade level.

6.2.2 At least fifty percent of each committee shall be classroom teachers appointed by the Association.

6.3 INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

6.3.1 A county-wide textbook selection committee shall be appointed whenever a textbook adoption is due or contemplated in any specific subject area, program or grade level.

6.3.2 A majority of each committee shall be classroom teachers appointed by the Association.

6.3.3 The committee shall review all available texts in the specific area in question and submit at least two books for final selection by all involved teachers.

6.3.4 These two textbooks shall be available in the appropriate work location in sufficient numbers to allow for teacher review at least three weeks prior to a county-wide vote.

6.3.5 Teachers shall select one textbook for county-wide adoption by secret ballot.

6.3.6 Department heads or team leaders shall be responsible for tabulating votes at each work location and immediately notifying the chairman of the appropriate county-wide selection committee.

6.3.7 This vote shall determine the book to be purchased in any level or subject area until the next review.

6.3.8 Individual school or department vote on textbook selection shall be available to the Association on request.

6.4 CALENDAR COMMITTEE

6.4.1 The Assistant Superintendent for Administration shall appoint a committee annually to prepare school calendars for all school centers to be recommended to the Board. The committee will include four teacher representatives selected by the Association.

6.5 AD HOC COMMITTEES

6.5.1 County-wide committees established by the Board or Administration having a direct impact on teachers shall include teacher representatives appointed by the Association.

6.6 FACULTY STEERING COMMITTEE

6.6.1 The faculty at each work location shall elect a faculty steering committee that includes teacher representation elected from each department or grade level, and special services areas. The principal shall have the authority to appoint additional at large members.

6.6.2 The purpose of this committee is to act in an advisory capacity to the building administrator. The committee shall meet on a monthly basis to provide faculty input in developing an administration-faculty team approach to solving problems, making improvements, and arriving at decisions in areas affecting the general faculty and/or student body. Minutes from all Steering Committee meetings shall be published and distributed.

6.6.3 The principal shall, upon request, provide the Steering Committee or any individual faculty or staff member with a printed accounting of the school's internal accounts.

6.6.4 The faculty steering committee, in addition to its general advisory function, shall have the specific responsibilities to assist the building administrator in the following areas:

A. School Budget

The Steering Committee shall assist the principal in preparing and reviewing the school's county budget. This budget shall provide a breakdown of the projected allocation of funds by departments or grade levels for the school and be distributed and discussed with the faculty during pre-planning. Any changes in the budget shall require review of the Steering Committee, and such changes will be distributed to the teachers affected.

B. Faculty Account

Each school shall establish a faculty account for monies generated by the faculty at each school (i.e. vending machine profits, etc.). The funds in this account may be used individually and/or collectively by the school's personnel. Approval of the Steering Committee shall be necessary before these funds are expended.

C. Textbook Utilization

The Steering Committee shall have the responsibility to assist the principal in implementing county guidelines regarding textbook utilization in the school.

D. Forms Review

The Steering Committee shall have the responsibility to review the use of any individual school form.

6.7 ASSESSMENT TEAM

6.7.1 The district shall maintain trained school assessment teams with broad-based teacher representation. The association shall appoint the teacher members.

6.8 SCHOOL COMMUNITY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

6.8.1 The School District shall create the Staff Development Coordinating Committee for purposes of implementing Florida Statutes 231.600, 231.601, 231.613, and related statutes.

6.8.2 Teacher Committee appointees representing regular K-12 grade levels and subject areas shall be appointed by the C.T.A.

6.8.3 The term of office for each Teacher Committee member shall be for two years. Committee members may serve two consecutive terms.