​​​​Policy and By​laws​

All School Councils are governed by constitution and specific bylaws. Peel District School Board School Councils are not required to develop a lengthy constitution because the Ontario Regulation 612/00 and the board's policy set out the mandate and roles and responsibilities for School Councils. If a council already has a constitution in place, the council may choose to continue it providing it doesn't conflict with the regulation or board's policy.

Bylaws are specific to each School Council and outlines how the council operates. The Ministry of Education requires every School Council to have bylaws covering election procedures, conflict of interest, resolving conflict and filling vacancies. School Councils may wish to create additional bylaws, including: code of ethics, general expectations for meetings, membership of council, and role of the executive council. 

Consider establishing a sub-committee to draft your bylaws. These bylaws should be stored at the school in a spot that in easily accessible each year. Use these samples as a starting point:

Bylaw sample -  Code of ethics

Bylaw sample - Election procedures

Bylaw sample -  Roles of School Council executive

Bylaw sample - Filling council vacancies

Bylaw sample - Conflict of interest

Bylaw sample - Resolving conflict​ 

Bylaws created by the School Council must not conflict with any provisions of Ontario Regulation 612/00 or the Peel board's School Council Policy​. They should remain consistent from year-to-year, but should be reviewed by the council in case adjustments are needed.

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Watch the bylaw webinar to learn more.