COUNCIL
FOR
MARYLAND NEGOTIATION SERVICE
Approved: November 19, 1976
Revised: September 13, 1996
I. AUTHORIZATION
The following statements of purposes, function, and structure should be interpreted in every way to agree with the provisions of the Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland (PSSAM) relating to the operation of the Maryland Negotiation Service (MNS).
II. PURPOSES AND FUNCTIONS
A. The MNS shall serve as an Advisory Council reporting to the Superintendent of Schools on collective bargaining primarily involving the LEA's but not excluding the involvement of other agencies.
B. The Council shall provide a standard channel for contact and communication and mutual assistance among the LEA's on all relevant collective bargaining issues.
C. The Council shall provide an open forum for the discussion of concerns, issues, crisis, and problems which are of mutual interest.
D. The Council shall review and evaluate projects carried out upon its recommendations.
E. The Council shall provide a medium for dissemination to LEA's of information about collective bargaining, legislative activities, as well as information from the Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland (PSSAM).
F. The representatives and the coordinated planning for the Council, as well as recommendation which would be obtained, could give support and strength to the programs and projects pursued which might otherwise falter.
III. STRUCTURE
A. The Council
All Counties and Baltimore City of Maryland are eligible to be regular member agencies of this Council.
Each member LEA shall have one vote. A representative and an alternate will be appointed by each local Superintendent of Schools.
Decisions on recommendations to the Superintendents shall be by majority vote of those participating in the deliberations of this Council.
B. The Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, five (5) representatives of the Council (one from each of the five * (5) regions) and a liaison member appointed by the Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland (PSSAM).
*Region 1 - Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester
Region 2 - Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot
Region 3 - Baltimore City, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard
Region 4 - Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince Georges, St. Marys
Region 5 - Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, Washington
The five (5) representatives are to be nominated by the regions. The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer shall be nominated by a nominating committee appointed by the Chairperson. This committee shall report a slate of candidates for the Executive Committee by February 15 each year. All members of the Executive Commitee shall be elected by the majority vote of the Council during the month of March. The five (5) regional representatives shall serve for two (2) years. The five (5) representatives shall not immediately succeed themselves.
The Executive Commitee shall act on the Council's behalf between Council sessions to coordinate projects, communicate with members, arrange agendas, call meetings, make presentations regarding recommendations, deliberate on policies, procedures, potential projects, and evaluations.
Vacancies on the Executive Commitee may be filled for the unexpired terms by a majority vote of remaining members of the Executive Committee.
C. Officers
Chairperson
The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Council and of the Executive Committee at which he is in attendance.
The Chairperson shall see to it that meetings of the Council are scheduled and called with notification to members at least one (1) week in advance of such meetings.
The Chairperson shall have power to appoint deliberative and reporting subcommittees of attendees at Council meetings.
The term of Chairperson shall be one (1) year. The Chairperson may serve not more than two (2) consecutive one (1) year terms.
Vice Chairperson
The Vice Chairperson shall serve in the responsibilities of the Chairperson in the latter's absence for meetings.
The term of the Vice Chairperson shall be one (1) year.
Secretary
The Secretary shall provide support to the Council and to the Executive Committee.
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall receive all moneys and disburse all payments in accordance with actions of the Executive Committee.
IV. MEETINGS
A. Regular meetings shall be scheduled and published and shall occur at sites established by the Executive Committee.
B. Items for consideration for the agenda should be submitted to the Chairperson at least two (2) weeks before the meeting so that items requiring action by the Executive Committee can be handled in a timely manner.
V. AMENDMENTS
These governing procedures may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the LEA membership in the Council at a regular meeting after a thirty (30) day written notification of the recommended change to its membership.