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SEAC

The Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) serves as the State Advisory Council for the Ministry of Education.

See By-Laws pdf.

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REPUBLIC OF PALAU
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

SEAC
By-Laws and Procedures

SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
BY-LAWS AND PROCEDURES

The name of the organization shall be:

Palau Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)

The functions of the Council are:

To advise the Ministry of Education of unmet needs within the Republic in the education of children with disabilities;

To comment publicly on any plan or any rules or regulations proposed for issuance by the Ministry regarding the education of children with disabilities and the procedures for distribution of funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA);

To assist the Ministry in developing and reporting such data and evaluations as may assist the U.S. Secretary of Education in the performance of the Secretary’s responsibilities under Section of 618 of U.S. Public Law 94-142; and to assist the Ministry in reporting to the Olbiil era Kelulau on the implementation of Palau Public Law 3-9;

To advise the Ministry of Education in developing corrective actions plans to address findings identified in Federal monitoring reports under this part; and

To advise the Ministry of Education in developing and implementing policies relating to the coordination of services for children with disabilities.

Membership

Regular membership shall be appointed by the Minister of Education of the Republic of Palau. The membership shall include a representative of each of the following groups:

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The majority of the members of this Council shall be individuals with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities.

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Members shall be appointed for two-years term commencing in September of each odd-numbered year.

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A list of names of persons to fill vacancies as they occur and to replace members whose terms have expired will be developed by the Executive Committee and the Ministry of Education for consideration by the President.

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A quorum shall consist of one-half of the appointed membership.

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Members who are absent without prior notice two times during a school year will be contacted by the chairperson to determine interest in membership. Three absences without prior notification will result in a recommendation by the Council that the person’s membership be terminated and a replacement be appointed.

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The Council may request other agencies of government to serve on the Council as ex-officio members

Officers

The elected officers of this Council shall be a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and recording secretary.

The officers shall be elected by a majority of votes cast by members present and voting. A roll call vote shall be conducted if more than one person is nominated for an office.

The officers shall serve for two years.

In the event of a vacancy of an office, the office shall be filled at the next regular meeting of the Council.

Duties of Officers

Duties of the Chairperson

The chairperson shall preside at all Council meetings, shall enforce the Council’s by-laws and procedures, and shall:

Have the right to offer resolutions, to vote thereon, and to discuss matters before the Council in accordance with parliamentary procedures.

Appoint all the chairperson and members of committees with the assistance of the vice-chairperson and consent of the Council.

Receive and acknowledge communications, petitions, and requests on behalf of the Council. Major communication, petitions, and requests shall be present to the Council.

Determine and formulate agenda items for the Council meetings with the assistance of the vice-chairperson and the Ministry’s director of special education.

Make public statements representing the positions of the Council.

Duties of the Vice-Chairperson

In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson.

The Vice-Chairperson shall assist the Chairperson in the preparation of the agenda for all Council meetings, and in the appointment of all members of committees.

Duties of the Recording Secretary

The Secretary shall ensure that the proceedings of the meeting are properly recorded.

The Secretary shall further ensure that the minutes of the proceeding Council meeting are filed with the Ministry of Education subsequently to their adoption by the Council during the current meeting.

The Secretary shall be assisted by Ministry staff in the performance of the Secretary responsibilities.

Duties of the Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education through the Director of Special Education or other designated official shall at each regular meeting of the Council, inform the Council of the Ministry’s plans, progress, and problems relating to the education and related services of children with disabilities. This information is provided to be better enable members to advise the Ministry of Education on matters relating to the education of children with disabilities.

The Ministry of Education shall present to the Council, for the Council’s review, public comment, and appropriate action, matters relating, but not limited to the following:

The Ministry of Education shall assist the Council in its operations and deliberations including but not limited to support in organizing and recording the proceedings of the Council and in providing members information requested through the Chairperson.

Meetings

The Council shall meet at least four (4) times during the regular school year on a schedule determined by the membership. All meetings shall be announced in advance in accordance with applicable Palau law and Ministry of Education rules and regulations. Meetings shall be open to the public, except during discussion of confidential matters protecting the individual rights of identifiable children.

A special meeting of the Council may be called by the Executive Committee or at the request of two-thirds of the total membership. Notice of not less than seven (7) calendar days shall be given of any such meeting. The order of business for special meeting shall consist of only the subject for which the special meeting is called.

Minutes shall be taken at each meeting, mailed to the membership, and filed in accordance with Palau law and Ministry of Education rules and regulations.

Order of Business at a Regular Meeting of the Council

Unless changed by Council action, the order of business shall be as follows:

  1. Call to Order
  2. Council Recognition of Achievement
  3. Approval of Minutes
  4. Communications
  5. Reports from Ministry of Education Staff and Council Committees
  6. Recommendation for Action:
    • Ministry Recommendation
    • Unfinished/Old Business
    • New Business
  7. Concerns or Future Agenda Items
  8. Adjournment

Committees

The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and the recording Secretary. The members shall communicate prior to each regular meeting to set the agenda, review minutes, and conduct any business referred to it by the Council. The Ministry’s Director of Special Education shall also be a member of the Executive Committee to provide Ministry of Education’s support to the Council.

Standing committees maybe established by the Council. Ad hoc committees may also be appointed by the Chairperson.

The Chairperson of each committee shall be duly appointed member of the Council and may be appointed by the Chairperson.

Rules of Order

The parliamentary rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, revised, shall guide the conduct of Council meetings.

Amendments

These by-laws and procedures may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-third vote of the membership.

These by-laws and procedures were adopted by the Palau Special Education Advisory Council at its regular meeting on: __.

OFFICIAL:

Council Chairperson

Ministry of Education