******** DRAFT 2025 *******

River Dell PTSO

“The River Dell Parent, Teacher and Student Organization”

By-Laws

Article I: Title

This organization is named the River Dell PTSO. The organization is variously referred to in these bylaws as the “Parent Organization”, “RDPTSO”, or “PTSO”. The district itself, River Dell Regional School District, is referred to herein as “RD”. 

Article II: Aims and Objectives

Section 1 - The River Dell PTSO shall be a non-profit organization whose purpose and aim shall be to foster a collaborative partnership between parents, educators, the student body and the community to enhance the educational experience and overall well-being of all students. The PTSO strives to support academic excellence, promote positive values, encourage family involvement, and advocate for the interests of the school community through effective communication, inclusive programs, and proactive engagement.

Section 2 - The River Dell PTSO shall strive to:

1. Communications: To facilitate communication and liaison with student families and other school constituencies on matters which are of interest to the River Dell PTSO;
2. Involvement: To encourage and coordinate volunteerism among parents and guardians in support of RD events and activities; and
3. Enrichment: To initiate and raise funds for special projects, events and assets which will enhance the quality of education, school experience, and extracurricular activities for RD students.

Article III: Membership and Dues

Section 1 - All parents and legal guardians who have at least one child enrolled in River Dell Regional School District shall be eligible as Members of the River Dell PTSO. All members in good standing shall have the right to vote on bylaws and other matters as needed.

Section 2 - Dues and membership are for at least one year as defined by subsequent articles. Families may opt for a multi-year membership when applicable to streamline renewals and encourage sustained involvement. Membership can be shared by all people of a single-family group sharing the same primary residence. A family group may choose to have multiple memberships, limited to one per adult. Each membership is entitled to one vote. Only members who are fully paid will be considered in good standing.

Section 3 - The annual dues level shall be set by the River Dell PTSO Executive Committee at the beginning of each school year. If a dues level is not set by October 31st, then the dues level for the most recent school year shall apply for the current year.

Section 4 - All funds which are collected as dues may be used without restriction by the River Dell PTSO for any lawful expenditure related to Article II hereinabove.

Section 5 – Members in good standing can address concerns in writing to the Board of Directors President and Secretary. The Board of Directors shall address the concern at the next scheduled board meeting or, if urgent, at a specially convened meeting. The member will be notified in writing of the resolution within 14 days of the meeting. 

Section 6 – All official PTSO communication shall be conducted through approved channels, including the PTSO website, PTSO email, and official PTSO social media accounts. Personal contact lists or platforms may not be used for official communications without prior board approval. 

Article IV: Member Meetings

Section 1 - Regular meetings of the Members shall be held at least twice annually. A minimum of one (1) week advance notice of the date, time and location of regular meeting(s), as well as any date changes due to school closures or other related reasons, will be given to Members. A standing rule for this purpose may be adopted and/or revised by the Board of Directors.

Section 2 – The financial status of the River Dell PTSO shall be disclosed at a meeting of the members.

Section 3 - Additional meetings with general or specific purposes shall be called as needed by the majority of the Board of Directors.

Section 4 - Notice of meetings shall be provided by publication on the River Dell PTSO website and/or through broadcast emails for eligible RD PTSO members. Members shall be individually responsible for ensuring that their own email information is on file with RD and is accurate.

Section 5 - A quorum shall consist of (i) two or more Board of Directors present; and (ii) three or more eligible members present. A vote of the Members at such meetings shall be deemed valid if a quorum is established.

Section 6 - At all meetings of the Members, the presiding Officer shall have the sole authority to conduct the meeting under rules consistent with Roberts Rules of Order or any reasonable simplification thereof, and to expel Members or other attendees who materially disrupt the meeting. Members are encouraged to maintain a respectful and professional tone in all communication with the Board, school staff, and other members.

Article V: Elections

Section 1 - All Family members in good standing may be eligible to be nominated to the Board. Nominations will be made public to all members. 

Section 2 - All candidates must be approved by the existing Board or at least 51% of the full Membership body in good standing.

Section 3 – All members will be given ample notice of at least 2 weeks to nominate a member to the board prior to elections.

Section 4 – Member must be an eligible member of a minimum of one (1) school academic year to be eligible for nomination.

Section 5 – Nominations for board positions shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary at least two weeks prior to the election date. The Secretary will advise the Board of Directors of all nominees. Election results will be announced within 48 hours after voting concludes, ensuring transparency and timely communication.

Article VI: Board of Directors

Section 1 - The River Dell PTSO may have up to nine (9) members of the Board of Directors.

Section 2 - The Board of Directors shall elect from its members, a President, Secretary, and Treasurer and up to two (2) Vice Presidents. 

Section 3 - Ideally, when the opportunity presents itself, The Board of Directors shall include balanced representation from both Oradell and River Edge communities, as well as from families with students in both the middle school and high school, to ensure diverse input and perspective.

Section 4 – Members of the Board of Directors must be eligible Members in good standing at all times, as defined herein above and including their qualification as voting Members. 

Section 5- Members of the Board of Directors shall be deemed to have resigned effective with the first date that all their children are no longer enrolled in the River Dell Regional School District.

Section 6 – Members of the Board of Directors shall serve a two-year term starting from July 1st. The terms shall be staggered such that approximately half (1/2) of the Board is eligible for election annually. At the initial adoption of these By-Laws, the current board of directors shall continue for a one-year term before moving to the two-year term. 

Section 7 -Any Board of Director may be reelected if they continue to be a member in good standing.

Section 8 - In the event of a vacancy, that position may be filled by a simple majority vote of the remaining board members. The individual shall serve the remainder of the term.

Section 9 – The Board of Directors may remove any member of the Board of Directors by a simple majority vote of all other Board members. If said Board of Director member does not attend a minimum of 50% of all meetings/events or does not abide by The Roberts Code of Ethics. 

Section 10 – The Board of Directors shall meet at least quarterly. Additional meetings may be called by the President or at least 51% of the members of the Board of Directors.

Section 11 – Board meetings may be conducted in person or virtually. A minimum of one day notice must be granted to all Board of Directors.

Section 12 – Votes by the Board can be captured at in-person meetings, virtual meetings, or by electronic communications such as email. A majority of all Board members is required for passage not just those present at the meeting. Any votes that are counted outside of the formal meeting of the board shall be captured in the minutes at the next formal board meeting.

Section 13 – Members of the Board of Directors shall disclose any potential or perceived conflicts of interest before discussions or votes on matters where the conflict exists. Any member with a conflict shall abstain from voting on the issue and may be excused form related discussions at the discretion of the President.

Article VII - Duties of the Board of Directors

Section 1 - The President shall be responsible for:

1. Liaison relationships with the RD administrative staff, parents/guardians, volunteers, and faculty.
2. The President is the primary point of contact with communication to administration. 
3. Approving all official communications of the PTSO
4. Oversight of all standing, recurring and ad hoc Committees
5. Oversight of business and financial affairs of the PTSO
6. Presiding over meetings of the Members, unless otherwise delegated
7. Oversight of all other Office
   

Section 2 – The Vice-Presidents, if elected, be responsible for:

1. Filling in the roles of the President when the President is not available, or the office is vacant.
2. Other duties as needed.

Section 3 - The Secretary shall be responsible for: 

1. Issuing notices.
2. Administering and recording minutes of Member meetings and Officer meetings
3. Maintaining a file of official correspondence of the River Dell PTSO.
4. Retaining all necessary books and records of the River Dell PTSO other than those retained by the Treasurer.
5. Liaison between the student members and the PTSO.
6. When communicating with students a member of administration, Board of Directors president must be cc’d on the communication. 

Section 4 - The Treasurer shall be responsible for:

1. Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, keeping accurate records, and preparing financial reports.
2. Presenting the financial report to the Members at the Annual General Meeting.

Section 5 – Members of the Board of Directors can form committees as needed and be appointed to lead special initiatives of the River Dell PTSO as voted on by the Board of Directors.

Section 6 – All communication goes through the official PTSO email.

Article VIII: Financial Responsibilities

Section 1 - The Treasurer and President have the ability to open and close any bank and/or financial accounts in the name of River Dell PTSO. The Vice President(s) and Secretary have the ability to be added as additional signers on the any accounts owned by the River Dell PTSO.

Section 2 – The president of the Board of Directors has the authority to allocate up to $250 per occurrence with a maximum of $500 per school year for the betterment of the school community. Anything over the $500 goes to the Board of Directors for a vote. 

Section 3 – Any funds needed to allocate over $3,000 must appear for a membership vote at a general meeting. 

Section 4 – The Board of Directors shall perform an annual audit to include a minimum of three board members and a minimum of one member in good standing.

Article IX: Financial Year

The financial year, and unless otherwise defined herein, a “school year” as it applies to these Bylaws shall run from July 1st to June 30th.

Article X: Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended by a majority election of the Board of Directors members at any regular meeting, provided that advance notice of such an election is given to Members consistent with the notice requirement for special meetings of the Members.

Article XI - Dissolution and Distribution of Funds

If the River Dell PTSO dissolves for any reason, the Board of Directors will follow the appropriate dissolution procedure as set forth for Associations. Any funds in the operating or investment accounts in the name of the River Dell PTSO will be turned over to the River Dell School district for distribution and use for the betterment of the student body at large.