ELPAC

The duties of Barnstable Public Schools ELPAC are to:

• Promote a network of parents and guardians of multilingual learners and provide a forum to share information and discuss matters of concern; 

• Provide advice to the district or school 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 multilingual learners;

• When appropriate review plans developed by the school district that will have a significant impact on the instructional programs provided for ELs;

• Review proposals by the school district to offer a new instructional program for ELs; 

• Review requests to the school district from 20 or more parents to open a new language instructional program; 

• Promote communication between ELPAC members, other parent councils in the district, district staff and administration, the Department of Elementary and 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 Barnstable school district assists the ELPAC in scheduling meetings, finding meeting space, publicizing meetings to families, and providing language assistance.

• Any parent or guardian of a student currently identified as an English Learner; 

• Any parent or guardian of a student who has been identified as an English Learner in the past

Duties of members:

• Fulfill the duties of the ELPAC outlined in Section 3;

• Attend the ELPAC meetings;

• Voting membership shall be any general member who is a parent or a guardian of a child who is currently or formerly enrolled in the English Learner program. Members are eligible to vote when present in a meeting for annual officer elections and all other business or initiatives that come before the Barnstable ELPAC.

• ELPAC members may be nominated or self-nominate to become an officer.

• ELPAC officers are elected annually by the voting membership and shall hold office for a term of one academic year.

• Elections are decided by a simple majority vote of the voting membership. At least 6 members must be present to hold a vote. 

• Nominations will be called for at the April and/or May meeting(s) in preparation for the June election. Those nominated will have been notified of their nominations and will have agreed to assume the respective office if elected.

Office and officer responsibilities of the Barnstable Public Schools ELPAC:

Chairperson: 

1. The Chairperson shall set the agenda for each meeting, in consultation with other ELPAC members; 

2. Lead the meetings of the ELPAC; 

3. Act as a liaison with the staff person assigned to assist the ELPAC; 

4. Perform any other duties identified by the ELPAC. 

Co-Chairperson: 

1. Lead the meetings of the ELPAC if the Chairperson is absent. 

2. Assist the Chairperson at his/her request.

3. Perform other duties identified by the ELPAC.

Secretary: 

1. Take minutes at ELPAC meetings and keep a binder of the minutes. 

2. Maintain and update the ELPAC membership list. 

3. Perform other duties identified by the ELPAC.

Recall: If it is determined that an officer is not fulfilling duties adequately, the Barnstable ELPAC may recall the officer by vote of members present.

• The Barnstable Public Schools ELPAC intends to meet three or more times per school year at a location in the school district, or virtually if and as may be appropriate. 

• The ELPAC may schedule additional meetings as needed or desired by ELPAC members.

• Notice of the ELPAC meetings are distributed to parents and guardians of English Learners and former English Learners. Methods of distribution may include, for example, but without limitation: Blackboard, the Barnstable Public Schools Website, Social Media, and/or other appropriate methods as may exist or be commonly used at a given point in time.  

• Non-voting members may attend ELPAC meetings as guests.