Career Readiness Council

The Career Readiness Council (CRC) establishes policy and provides direction for the Tech Prep and Perkins goals, grants and activities. To improve career and technical educational opportunities in Northern Iowa, the CRC serves as a communication link between North Iowa schools, NIACC, AEA 267 - Clear Lake Region, business/industry/professional/labor stakeholders, the Iowa Department of Education and regional partners. The Council provides guidance, support, and assistance to schools and partners. The council also performs the duties of the Regional Planning Board.

The CRC is composed of: one Workforce Development Center representative; up to four representatives from business, industry, and the professions; a labor representative; two AEA representatives; two NIACC representatives; three superintendents; a Transition Advisory Board representative; and seven representatives from local school districts' faculty (teachers, counselors, curriculum coordinators) and up to four non-voting student representatives.

Consortium Goals, 2007 - 2012

1. Develop and Enhance Shared Programs.
2. Support Local Districts in Their Comprehensive School Improvement Goals.
3. Strengthen Career Counseling and Career Education Programs.
4. Meet Increased Needs Associated with Diversity and Globalization.
5. Foster Business, Industry, and Professional Connections for Our Students, Teachers and Employers.

Area 267 - Clear Lake Region
Perkins IV Consortium
Career Readiness Council By-Laws

THIS CONTRACT is entered into February, 2007, by and between North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC); Area 267-Clear Lake Region; and all Area 267 -Clear Lake Region school districts hereinafter specifically identified.

The parties to this Contract are entering into a Chapter 28E.12 - Joint Exercise of Governmental Powers as provided by Iowa law. It is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:

Article I - Name

The name of the organization shall be the Career Readiness Council.

Article II - Purpose

Purpose. It shall be the responsibility of the Career Readiness Council to establish policy and provide direction and oversight for the Tech Prep and Perkins grants. In addition, other unspecified grants and area-wide allocations may be included as subsequently agreed upon by the Council. To improve the quality of life in Area 267 - Clear Lake Region, the Council serves as a communication link between schools and stakeholders, State Department of Education, and regional partners. The Council provides guidance, support, and assistance to schools and partners. The Council shall also perform the duties of the Regional Planning Board.

The service delivery area shall be defined as AEA 267 - Clear Lake Region.

The Council shall collaborate with employment and training providers, higher education, human service organizations, local schools, the community college, the area education agency, economic development organizations, and the private sector to implement and operate successful school career activities in Area 267 - Clear Lake Region.

Authority. The Council shall operate under the authority granted in the Secondary Perkins Grant, the Tech Prep Grant, and any other agreed-upon grants.

Article III - Organization

Membership and Apportionment. The Council shall be composed of twenty two (22) voting members: one (1) representative from the Iowa Workforce Development Center; one (1) representative from an entity involved in workforce development; up to four (4) representatives from business, industry, health care and the professions; one (1) labor representative; two (2) AEA267 representatives; two (2) NIACC representatives; three (3) superintendents (small school superintendent representing school sizes up to 650 students K-12;, medium school superintendent representing schools having 651 students or more K-12 and a Perkins allocation of less than $15,000;, and large school superintendent representing schools with a Perkins allocation of $15,000 or more); one (1) Transition Advisory Board member representative; and seven (7) representatives from the local school districts (counselor, curriculum coordinator, agriculture teacher, business teacher, family & consumer science teacher, health occupations teacher and industrial technology teacher) on three-year rotating terms; up to four (4) non-voting student representatives. Consultants shall be considered non-voting participants.

Article IV - Officers

Chairperson & Vice-Chairperson. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Council will be a superintendent, as determined on a rotating basis and shall be elected by the Council. Beginning with the 2007 - 2008 school year, the rotation will be as follows:

2007-2008 Large school superintendent - Chairperson (Vice-Chairperson in 2006-2007)
2008-2009 Small school superintendent - Chairperson (Vice-Chairperson in 2007-2008)
2009-2010 Medium school superintendent - Chairperson (Vice-Chairperson in 2008-2009)
2010-2011 Large school superintendent - Chairperson (Vice-Chairperson in 2009-2010)
2011-2012 Small school superintendent - Chairperson (Vice-Chairperson in 2010-2011)

The duties of the Chairperson shall include:

• Prepare the agenda with the assistance of the CTE Consultant and preside at all regular and special meetings of the Council.
• Communicate decisions and issues of the Council as appropriate to relevant constituent groups.
• Distribute agenda and meeting minutes to relevant constituent groups.
• Recommend appointments of council members to standing and ad hoc committees of the council.
• Serve a term of office for one year, but not limited to one year.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

The duties of the Vice-Chair shall include:

• Preside at regular and special meetings in the absence of the Chairperson.
• Perform such other duties as assigned by the Chairperson or by the Council.
• Serve a term of office for one year at a time.

Article V - Meetings

Meetings. There will be a minimum of three meetings per year. The council shall meet in October, February, and May on the third Thursday of the month at 3:00 p.m. Additional meetings may be scheduled by the Chair. Meetings may be held via electronic means per state recommendations.

Quorum. Half of the voting membership plus one will constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Council. The members present at a duly organized meeting, at which a quorum was determined to be present, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the departure of members to leave less than a quorum.

Manner of Acting. The act of the majority of the Council present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Council except as otherwise provided in these provisions.

Article VI - Procedures

Decision-making Protocol. Decisions will be reached through motion, appropriate second, discussion, and vote.

Voting. Each voting member shall have one vote. The chairperson shall vote on each issue. Voting members may designate another person to vote on their behalf provided the request is presented to the chairperson in writing prior to the meeting. All elections shall be held and all questions decided by a simple majority vote of the voting members present.

Distribution of Proceedings. Minutes shall be maintained by the recording secretary as appointed by the Council. Archival records shall be maintained at the community college and the area education agency. Minutes of the Council shall be distributed after each meeting to members of the Council and relevant constituent groups.

Public Notification of Meetings. Notification with agenda will occur through the same process used by the area education agency. AEA 267 - Clear Lake Region will be responsible for public notifications.

Article VII - Duration

The duration of the contract shall be from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2012. School districts who wish to withdraw from the 28E contract must notify the Career Readiness Council by March 1 of the given year for the upcoming fiscal year.

Article VIII - Amendments.

Amendments. These provisions may be amended, altered, added to, or replaced by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting membership of the Council present at any regular or special meeting, provided notice of the intention to amend has been included in the notice of the meeting and the members have received such notice five (5) days prior to said meeting and a copy of the proposed change(s).

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