Committees

The Advocacy Committee develops the annual Mehlville School District Advocacy Priorities document. They review and track local, state and federal legislation that may affect the district. The committee will schedule meetings as needed with local, state and federal representatives to discuss the issues outlined in the Advocacy Priorities document.
>> Learn more about the Advocacy Committee 

Advocacy Committee Charter

Date Formed: December 17, 2020 
Last Revision: December 8, 2023 

Mission: To develop an Annual Mehlville School District Advocacy Priorities document and maintain it on a yearly basis. To remain diligent and communicate our findings concerning legislation that could influence our stakeholders. 

Scope: This will be a sub-committee of the Mehlville Board of Education, adjunct to the Board Advocacy Committee.

Outcomes/Tasks: 

1. The Mehlville School District Advocacy Committee will periodically review the Mehlville School District’s Advocacy Priorities document, at least annually.
2. The School District Advocacy Committee will review and track local, state and federal legislation that may affect the district.
3. The School District Advocacy Committee will conduct an annual review of each individual organization’s advocacy priorities to identify the common key issues that impact the school district.
4. The School District Advocacy Committee will use the common key issues to produce the annual Mehlville School District Advocacy Priorities document for use in the next legislative year.
5. The School District Advocacy Committee will present a recommended District Advocacy Positions Document to the Board of Education for approval in its December business meeting. 
6. The Mehlville School District Advocacy Priorities document will be used to guide School District discussions with elected officials who serve constituents in the school district. 
7. The School District Advocacy Committee will schedule meetings as needed with Local, State and Federal representatives to discuss the issues documented in the approved Mehlville School District Advocacy Priorities document. 
8. The School District Committee may recommend changes in the School District’s Advocacy Priorities document as new legislation is introduced. 

Boundaries:

This committee is designed to provide leadership, analysis, and recommendations centered around its mission. All decisions must be aligned with the Mehlville School District Board of Education policies and procedures, including the District’s Mission.

Resources:

The committee budget is through the central office. The committee should make any necessary budget requests during the budget development process.

Membership:

Membership will consist of two members from organizations within the Mehlville School District who will provide their respective advocacy position issues. Those organizations may include but are not limited to the Mehlville Board of Education (3 members, 1 from Board Advocacy Committee), Central Office, Administration (1 from each: elementary schools, middle schools, high schools), MNEA (1 from each: elementary schools, middle school schools, high schools), Early Childhood, and Parent Organizations (1 from each: elementary schools, middle schools, high schools).

Meeting Attendance:

It is expected that members will be present for meetings so that the committee can function with broad representation across the district.  Members may not send others to serve in their place. Members may resign at any time by submitting notice to the chair. Members who are absent from three consecutive meetings will be removed from the committee. Replacement committee members will be named at the next meeting.

Meeting Framework:

The committee will meet as needed to deliver the outcomes as stated in this charter. Public notice of the meeting will be issued.

Decision-making process:

Decisions will be made by consensus of members. If a vote is required, it will be decided by a simple majority of members attending. 

Channels of Communication:

Members are encouraged to share information from meetings with their circle of influence. Minutes of meetings will be taken by a district employee and posted on the district website.

Agenda Development:

Agendas will be developed collaboratively by the committee chair and the committee. Agendas will be posted in advance of the meeting, including the subjects to be discussed. 

Facilitation of Meetings:

Meetings will be facilitated by the central office staff member who is responsible for districtwide advocacy. 

Maintaining records:

Minutes will be taken by a district employee, distributed to members electronically, and included on the district website. Minutes will be provided to all committee members. Minutes will include a list of members present and absent.  

Norms: 

• Be prompt
• Adhere to the planned agenda
• Respect ideas of others
• Data Informed decisions
• Open-honest communication
• Listen for understanding
• Avoid interruption
• Tough on issues, not people
• Celebrate success  

The Communications Advisory Committee develops and monitors the implementation of a communications plan. The committee also provides assistance and direction to the communications department, superintendent and Board of Education. This committee typically meets quarterly.

Communications Advisory Team

Chartered by: Board of Education
Charter Date: April 13, 2017

Mission: To provide assistance and direction to the communications department, superintendent, and Board of Education.

Outcomes/Tasks:

The team will develop a comprehensive communications plan for consideration by the Board of Education no later than the December meeting in 2017.

The team will monitor implementation of the communication plan.

Boundaries:

This committee is designed to provide leadership, analysis, and recommendations centered around its mission. All decisions must be aligned with the Mehlville School District Board of Education policies and procedures, including the District’s Mission.

Resources:

The committee budget is through the communications department. The committee should make any necessary budget requests during the budget development process.

Membership:

Membership will include the communications department; a representative from the St. Louis County Police Department; a representative from the Mehlville Fire Protection District; a representative from the South County Chamber of Commerce; a representative from the Lemay Chamber of Commerce; three representatives from the 60+ group; one representative from The Call Newspapers; one employee from each of the following classified groups: custodial, food service, maintenance, nurses, secretarial, and transportation; one administrator from each level; and one representative from the Mehlville Retired Educators group. Each elementary, middle, and high school will have a parent representative and a teacher representative. Early childhood will have one parent representative and one teacher representative. The superintendent, or designee, will serve as a non-voting member. Additionally, three Board of Education members will serve in a non-voting capacity.

Meeting framework:

The committee will meet often initially to develop a communications and then quarterly, and as needed, to deliver the outcomes above. Public notice of the meeting will be through the communications department.

Decision-making process:

Decisions will be made by consensus of members. If a vote is required, it will be decided by a simple majority of members attending.

Channels of Communication:

Members are encouraged to share information from meetings with their circle of influence. Minutes of meetings will be taken by a district employee and posted on the district website.

Agenda Development:

Agendas will be developed collaboratively by the leadership. Agendas will be posted in advance of the meeting.

Facilitation of Meetings:

Meetings will be facilitated by the communications department until the group decides upon a chair.

Maintaining records:

Minutes will be taken by a district employee, distributed to members electronically, and included on the district website. Minutes will be provided to the Board of Education.

Norms:

• Be prompt
• Adhere to the planned agenda
• Respect ideas of others
• Open-honest communication
• Listen for understanding
• Avoid interruption
• Tough on issues, not people
• Celebrate success

Members of the Facilities Committee annually review a rolling five-year facility maintenance plan. The committee also identifies and prioritizes future projects, reviews and considers large projects before they are placed before voters, and provides an annual report to the Finance Committee. The committee provides assistance and direction to the Director of Facilities, central office administrators, Superintendent, and Board of Education on the district’s facility needs.  

Facilities Committee

Charter Date: January 28, 2016
Revised: June 9, 2016
Chartered by: Board of Education

Mission: To provide assistance and direction to the Director of Facilities, central office administrators, Superintendent, and Board of Education on the district’s facility needs.

Outcomes/Tasks:

1. The committee will annually review a rolling five-year facility maintenance plan.
2. The committee may tour district facilities to identify and prioritize future projects.
3. The committee will review and consider large projects before they are placed before voters.
4. The committee will provide an annual report to the finance committee.

Boundaries:

This committee is designed to provide leadership, analysis, and recommendations centered around its mission. All decisions must be aligned with the Mehlville School District Board of Education policies and procedures, including the District’s Mission.

Resources:

The committee budget is through the central office. The committee should make any necessary budget requests during the budget development process.

Membership:

Membership will include the Director of Facilities, central office administrators, one building administrator, one teacher, one member of the maintenance staff, and six community members with backgrounds in facility maintenance and development. Additionally, three Board of Education members will serve in a non-voting capacity.

Meeting framework:

The committee will meet quarterly, and as needed, to deliver the outcomes above. Public notice of the meeting will be through the Facilities Department.

Decision-making process:

Decisions will be made by consensus of members. If a vote is required, it will be decided by a simple majority of members attending.

Channels of Communication:

Members are encouraged to share information from meetings with their circle of influence. Minutes of meetings will be taken by a district employee and posted on the district website.

Agenda Development:

Agendas will be developed collaboratively by the leadership. Agendas will be posted in advance of the meeting.

Facilitation of Meetings:

Meetings will be facilitated by the Chair and Director of Facilities

Maintaining records:

Minutes will be taken by a district employee, distributed to members electronically, and included on the district website. Minutes will be provided to the Board of Education.

Norms:

• Be prompt
• Adhere to the planned agenda
• Respect the ideas of others
• Open-honest communication
• Listen for understanding
• Avoid interruption
• Tough on issues, not people
• Celebrate success

The Finance Committee provides assistance and direction to the Chief Financial Officer, Superintendent and Board of Education on various financial issues including tax increment financing, assessment, state aid, budget guidelines, short and long-term financial planning, bond or tax levy issue activities, and/or other financial areas as may be deemed necessary. The committee reviews the financial impact of recommendations from the facilities and insurance committees and of salary negotiations. The committee also reviews the budget as it’s being developed and provides oversight for funds approved by voters through levy and bond issues.

Finance Committee

Chartered by: Board of Education
Charter Date: November 9, 2015
Revised: June 9, 2016

Mission: To provide assistance and direction to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Superintendent, and Board of Education on various financial issues including, but not limited to: tax increment financing, assessment, state aid, budget guidelines, short and long-term financial planning, bond or tax levy issue activities, and/or other financial areas as may be deemed necessary.

Outcomes/Tasks:

1. The committee will review recommendations from the facilities committee and insurance committee to analyze the financial impact of such recommendations.
2. The committee will review the results of salary negotiations to analyze the financial impact of recommendations.
3. The committee will review the overall budget as it is being developed.
4. The committee will provide oversight for funds approved by the voters through levy and bond issues.
5. The committee will provide other financial analyses as requested by the CFO, Superintendent, or Board of Education.

Boundaries:

This committee is designed to provide leadership, analysis, and recommendations centered around its mission. All decisions must be aligned with the Mehlville School District Board of Education policies and procedures, including the District’s Mission.

Resources:

The committee budget is through the central office. The committee should make any necessary budget requests during the budget development process.

Membership:

Membership will include the CFO, one building level administrator, one teacher, and seven community patrons who work in the finance/accounting industry, or have oversight of the finance/accounting function in their current work experience. Of the seven community patrons at least four members shall be Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, three Board of Education members will serve in a non-voting capacity.

Meeting framework:

The committee will meet as needed to deliver the outcomes above. Public notice of the meeting will be through the business office.

Decision-making process:

Decisions will be made by consensus of members. If a vote is required, it will be decided by a simple majority of members attending.

Channels of Communication:

Members are encouraged to share information from meetings with their circle of influence. Minutes of meetings will be taken by a district employee and posted on the district website.

Agenda Development:

Agendas will be developed collaboratively by the leadership. Agendas will be posted in advance of the meeting.

Facilitation of Meetings:

Meetings will be facilitated by the Chair and CFO.

Maintaining records:

Minutes will be taken by a district employee, distributed to members electronically, and included on the district website. Minutes will be provided to the Board of Education.

Norms:

• Be prompt
• Adhere to the planned agenda
• Respect the ideas of others
• Open-honest communication
• Listen for understanding
• Avoid interruption
• Tough on issues, not people
• Celebrate success

The Insurance Committee makes recommendations on all employee insurance plans, programs and financing to the Board of Education. The committee reviews claims data, finances and funding of the insurance program, and leads the bid process every three years. The committee also makes an annual report to the Finance Committee. This committee typically meets quarterly.

Insurance Committee

Chartered by: Board of Education
Charter Date: January 28, 2016
Revised: June 9, 2016

Mission: To provide assistance and direction to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Superintendent, and Board of Education on the district’s employee insurance plans.

Outcomes/Tasks:

1. The committee will review claims data quarterly.
2. The committee will review finances and funding of the insurance program.
3. The committee will lead a bid process every three years at a minimum.
4. The committee will, at a minimum, bi-annually review the value of plans compared to benefits and recommend any changes.
5. The committee will make recommendations on all employee insurance plans, programs and financing to the Board of Education.
6. The committee will provide an annual report to the finance committee.

Boundaries:

This committee is designed to provide leadership, analysis, and recommendations centered around its mission. All decisions must be aligned with the Mehlville School District Board of Education policies and procedures, including the District’s Mission.

Resources:

The committee budget is through the central office. The committee should make any necessary budget requests during the budget development process.

Membership:

Membership will include the CFO; one teacher from each level; one administrator from each level; one employee from each of the following classified groups: custodial, food service, maintenance, nurses, secretarial, and transportation; two Mehlville School District retirees on the district’s insurance plan; and one member selected by the employee organization recognized by the Board of Education for professional negotiations. The superintendent, or designee, will serve as a non-voting member. Additionally, three Board of Education members will serve in a non-voting capacity.

Meeting framework:

The committee will meet quarterly, and as needed, to deliver the outcomes above. Public notice of the meeting will be through the business office.

Decision-making process:

Decisions will be made by consensus of members. If a vote is required, it will be decided by a simple majority of members attending.

Channels of Communication:

Members are encouraged to share information from meetings with their circle of influence. Minutes of meetings will be taken by a district employee and posted on the district website.

Agenda Development:

Agendas will be developed collaboratively by the leadership. Agendas will be posted in advance of the meeting.

Facilitation of Meetings:

Meetings will be facilitated by the CFO, who serves as chair of the committee.

Maintaining records:

Minutes will be taken by a district employee, distributed to members electronically, and included on the district website. Minutes will be provided to the Board of Education.

Norms:

• Be prompt
• Adhere to the planned agenda
• Respect ideas of others
• Open-honest communication
• Listen for understanding
• Avoid interruption
• Tough on issues, not people
• Celebrate success

The Policy Committee reviews and recommends policy changes to the Mehlville Board of Education.

Policy Committee

Chartered by: Board of Education
Charter Date: December 10, 2015

Mission: To review policies and recommend any changes to the Board of Education.

Outcomes/Tasks:

1. The committee will review policy revisions received from the district’s policy service.
2. The committee will review proposals for new policies.
3. The committee will make recommendations on policy changes brought before the body.
4. The committee will provide other financial analyses as requested by the CFO, Superintendent, or Board of Education.

Boundaries:

This committee is designed to provide leadership, analysis, and recommendations centered around its mission. All decisions must be aligned with the Mehlville School District Board of Education policies and procedures, including the District’s Mission.

Resources:

The committee budget is through the central office. The committee should make any necessary budget requests during the budget development process.

Membership:

Membership will include the district’s human resources administrator, one building level administrator, one elementary teacher, one middle school teacher, one high school teacher, one support staff director, one support staff member, and three Board of Education members.

Meeting framework:

The committee will meet as needed to deliver the outcomes above. Public notice of the meeting will be through the central office.

Decision-making process:

Decisions will be made by consensus of members. If a vote is required, it will be decided by a simple majority of members attending.

Channels of Communication:

Members are encouraged to share information from meetings with their circle of influence. Minutes of meetings will be taken by a district employee and posted on the district website.

Agenda Development:

Agendas will be developed collaboratively by the leadership. Agendas will be posted in advance of the meeting.

Facilitation of Meetings:

Meetings will be facilitated by the Chair.

Maintaining records:

Minutes will be taken by a district employee, distributed to members electronically, and included on the district website. Minutes will be provided to the Board of Education.

Norms:

• Be prompt
• Adhere to the planned agenda
• Respect the ideas of others
• Data-Informed decisions
• Open-honest communication
• Listen for understanding
• Avoid interruption
• Tough on issues, not people
• Celebrate success