PAC Bylaws

ARTICLE I – Name

The organization shall be known as the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics Parent Advisory Council (PAC).

ARTICLE II – Purpose

The purpose of the PAC shall be to provide an exchange of information with the Board of Trustees, the President of the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, and the faculty and staff on matters of parental concern including, but not limited to: academics, fundraising, special events, and student life.

ARTICLE III – Membership

Members of the PAC shall be all parents or legal guardians of currently enrolled students.

ARTICLE IV – Term of Office

Each member of the PAC shall serve for the period of time that their respective child or ward is attending the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics.

ARTICLE V – Officers

The PAC shall have as principal officers a Senior and Junior Parent Co-chair.  Other officers may be appointed as the need arises.  The Senior Co-chair will represent the PAC to the Board of Trustees and the President of GSSM.

A.    Principal Officers of the PAC will be recommended by the Vice President for Student Development and approved by the general membership at the PAC Annual Meeting on Parent’s Day.

B.    The Junior Co-chair will automatically become the Senior Co-chair.  If for any reason the Junior Co-chair’s respective child or ward does not return to GSSM, a special election will be held to fill the Senior Co-chair position.

C.    The chairs of the Standing Committees, appointed by the Senior Co-chair, shall serve for a term of one year.

D.    The Recording Secretary for the PAC shall be the Vice President for Student Development or his designee who shall provide logistical assistance and other advice for meetings and the business of the PAC.

E.    The creation of other offices of the PAC shall be at the discretion of the membership or the Executive Committee.

F.    Terms of office for committee chairs shall begin with their  appointment and continue through the school year.


ARTICLE VI – Committees

The PAC shall have the following Standing Committees, plus other committees, at the discretion of the PAC Co-chairs.

A.    Executive Committee- Shall be composed of the Senior and Junior Co-chairs, and the Chairs of the Standing Committees.  The Vice President for Student Development or his designee shall serve as an ex-officio member and will coordinate the exchange of information between the Board of Trustees, school staff, and the Committees.  The Executive Committee will call meetings and provide overall leadership.

B.    Admission and Recruitment Committee- Exchanges information and cooperates with the Board of Trustees, the Vice President for Student Development, the Director of Admissions and other staff in the admissions and recruitment process.


C.    Academic Support Committee – Will exchange information with the Board of Trustees, the President of GSSM, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and other staff on academic standards and policies. Under the direction of the committee chair and the Vice President for Academics, the Academic Support Committee sponsors and organizes the spring Faculty/Staff Luncheon and Parent Seminar Day.

D.    External Affairs Committee – Exchanges information with the Board of Trustees, the President of GSSM, the Executive Director of the GSSM Foundation in areas of fundraising, external support, legislative support, and special events.

E.    Student Activities Committee – Cooperates with  the Board of Trustees, the President of GSSM, the Director of Student Services, and other staff to enhance student life and help coordinate student social functions.

F.    Athletic Booster Committee – Cooperates with the Board of Trustees, the Vice President for Student Development, and the Director of Athletics to support and enhance the athletic program of GSSM.

G.    Nominating Committee – Shall be an ad hoc committee  appointed by the PAC Senior Co-chair to work with the Vice  President for Student Development to develop a slate of officers and committee chairs to be voted on by the PAC membership at its annual meeting. The committee will be made up of one member from each of the six state Congressional Districts.  This committee serves from appointment until the new slate of officers is finalized.

ARTICLE VII – Meetings

An annual meeting of the PAC will be held on Parents Day in the fall of each year.  Other meetings may be called at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VIII – Amendments

The Bylaws of the Parents Advisory Council may be amended by a majority vote of the membership present at the annual meeting.

Amended: October 2008