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Montclaire
ELAC Meeting
Formation • Roles • Training • Governance Options
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 • 5:00–5:45 PM
Montclaire Elementary School
Tonight’s purpose: begin forming ELAC, understand the role deeply enough to participate, and decide the correct next step.
English Learner family voice matters
Sources: CUSD 2026–27 SSC/SPSA/EC update slides; California Department of Education ELAC guidance; linked ELAC training video provided by Montclaire.
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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Tonight’s Outcomes
This meeting starts with formation and training before any governance decision.
Understand
What ELAC is and why it exists.
Learn
The required roles and responsibilities of ELAC.
Begin
The process of forming Montclaire’s 2026–2027 ELAC.
Train
Review the information members need before taking formal action.
Decide next step
Determine whether we are ready for any formal action tonight or need more formation work first.
Key guardrail: ELAC must be formed and trained before a delegation vote can happen.
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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Training Resource: ELAC Overview Video
This video is included to support shared understanding before discussion.
Watch or reference the video
Use the linked ELAC video as a shared orientation resource. After watching, we will connect it to Montclaire’s next steps: formation, member training, and whether ELAC remains independent or later delegates responsibilities to SSC.
Scan to open video
YouTube link provided for this meeting
(starting around 0:15)
Discussion prompt: What does this clarify about ELAC’s role as an advisory voice for English Learner families?
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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What Is ELAC?
A school-level advisory committee for English Learner programs and services.
ELAC exists to advise
ELAC gives parents and guardians of English Learners a formal way to advise the principal and school staff about programs, services, and planning for English Learner students.
Advisory means voice + recommendations
ELAC reviews information, asks questions, shares family perspectives, identifies needs, and makes recommendations. ELAC does not replace the principal, staff, or School Site Council.
Plain language: ELAC helps the school hear from English Learner families before decisions are finalized.
CDE describes ELAC as a school-level committee designated to advise school officials on English learner programs and services.
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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Why ELAC Matters at Montclaire
It keeps English Learner family voice connected to school planning.
1
Family perspective
Families can see patterns adults at school may miss.
2
Program clarity
Families learn what supports exist and can ask what is working.
3
School planning
ELAC input helps inform SPSA/site planning and priorities.
4
Belonging
The work strengthens communication, trust, and access for multilingual families.
ELAC is not extra paperwork. It is a required way to make sure family voice is included.
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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How ELAC Is Formed
Montclaire must complete formation correctly before formal committee action.
1 Requirement
A California public school with 21 or more English Learners must form an ELAC.
2 Parent Elections
Parents or guardians of English Learners elect the parent members. All EL parents/guardians must have an opportunity to vote.
3 Representation
EL parents/guardians must make up at least the same percentage of ELAC membership as English Learners represent of the student body.
4 DELAC
ELAC has the opportunity to elect at least one member to represent the site at DELAC.
CDE ELAC guidance: Requirement, Composition Requirements, Elections, and DELAC representation.
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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ELAC’s Required Responsibilities
These are the core advisory duties members are being trained to understand.
1 Site Plan / SPSA Input
Advise the principal and staff in developing a site plan for English Learners and submit that input to SSC for consideration in the SPSA.
2 Schoolwide Needs Assessment
Assist with the schoolwide needs assessment so English Learner strengths, needs, and family priorities are included.
3 Attendance Awareness
Help identify ways to make families aware of the importance of regular school attendance.
4 DELAC Representation
Have the opportunity to elect at least one representative to the District English Learner Advisory Committee.
CDE ELAC guidance, Responsibilities section.
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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Role 1: Advise on the English Learner Site Plan / SPSA
ELAC helps make sure English Learner needs are considered in school planning.
What ELAC reviews
• English Learner progress
• Program supports
• Family feedback
• School goals
• Needs and barriers
What ELAC asks
• What is working?
• Where do students need more support?
• What do families need to understand?
• What should be considered in the SPSA?
What ELAC recommends
ELAC provides advice to the principal and staff, and its input is submitted to SSC for consideration in the School Plan for Student Achievement.
CDE: ELAC advises on the site plan for English learners and submits it to SSC for consideration in the SPSA.
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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Role 2: Assist With the Schoolwide Needs Assessment
ELAC helps the school understand needs from the family perspective.
Students
Do students feel supported academically, socially, and linguistically?
Families
Do families understand services, progress, and who to contact for help?
Programs
Are supports clear, accessible, and responsive to student needs?
Communication
Are we communicating in ways families can access and act on?
A needs assessment should help the school listen before planning.
CDE: ELAC assists in the development of the schoolwide needs assessment.
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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Role 3: Support Attendance Awareness
ELAC helps the school communicate why attendance matters and what support families need.
What this does not mean
ELAC is not responsible for enforcing attendance rules or discussing individual students. Student privacy still matters.
What this can mean
ELAC can advise on communication, barriers families experience, reminders families need, and ways to connect families with support when attendance becomes difficult.
Keep this topic family-aware, supportive, and private.
CDE: ELAC advises on ways to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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Role 4: Connect Montclaire to DELAC
DELAC is the district-level advisory committee for English Learner programs and services.
Site voice
Montclaire ELAC may elect a representative to DELAC so site-level family perspectives can inform district conversations.
Two-way communication
The representative can bring district information back to Montclaire and bring Montclaire family priorities forward.
Not tonight’s only focus
Tonight’s first priority is forming and training ELAC. DELAC representation is one responsibility to keep on our radar.
CDE ELAC guidance: Each ELAC shall have the opportunity to elect at least one member to DELAC.
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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Training & Support for ELAC Members
Members need enough information to carry out their advisory responsibilities.
What training must provide
ELAC members must receive training materials and training that assist them in carrying out the required advisory responsibilities. Training should be planned in full consultation with committee members.
What tonight’s training provides
• Purpose of ELAC
• Formation and election requirements
• Required advisory responsibilities
• What advising looks like in practice
• Right to remain independent
• Delegation option and limits
• Documentation requirements
After formation, members should help identify what deeper training or materials they want next.
CDE ELAC guidance, Training section; CUSD delegation slide: members must be informed of duties and right to exist independently vs. delegating to SSC.
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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What Advising Looks Like in Practice
ELAC does not have to be complicated. It follows a simple pattern.
1
Review
Look at information, data, family feedback, and school goals.
2
Ask
Ask clarifying questions and name what families need to understand.
3
Prioritize
Identify what matters most for English Learner students and families.
4
Recommend
Make clear recommendations that can be documented and shared.
Strong ELAC minutes show the questions asked and recommendations made.
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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Montclaire’s Current Status
We are not assuming a formal ELAC already exists.
Where we are now
• Montclaire does not currently have a formally constituted ELAC.
• Families have been invited to participate.
• This meeting is the organizational starting point and initial training opportunity.
What must happen before formal action
• Parent members must be elected through the required process.
• Membership must meet EL parent representation requirements.
• Members must understand their responsibilities and their governance options.
No formal delegation vote unless ELAC is properly constituted.
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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Once Formed: ELAC Has Two Governance Options
The choice belongs to the properly constituted ELAC. Delegation is not automatic.
Option A — Remain Independent
• ELAC meets as its own committee.
• ELAC carries out required advisory responsibilities directly.
• ELAC provides advice to the principal/staff and input to SSC.
• ELAC continues to elect a DELAC representative.
Option B — Delegate to SSC
• ELAC formally votes to delegate responsibilities to SSC.
• SSC includes delegated ELAC duties in its agendas, discussions, and minutes.
• Delegation is valid for no more than two years before renewal is required.
CUSD delegation slide: delegation requires formation, training, formal vote, documentation, and is valid for a maximum of two years.
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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The Lawful Delegation Pathway
CUSD guidance outlines the sequence. We cannot skip steps.
1
Form ELAC
Duly elect and constitute the committee.
2
Train & Inform
Members understand duties and the right to remain independent.
3
Vote to Delegate
A formal ELAC vote is required.
4
Document Vote
Minutes record attendance, discussion, and vote.
5
SSC Assumes Duties
SSC carries SPSA/site plan, needs assessment, and attendance duties.
Tonight begins with Steps 1–2. We go farther only if formation requirements are actually met.
CUSD 2026–27 slide: Constitution → Training → Decision → Record → Oversight.
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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Tonight’s Decision Point + Documentation
The minutes should accurately reflect what actually happened.
If ELAC is constituted
• Confirm members understand roles and rights.
• Answer questions.
• If ready, consider a motion about delegation.
• Record motion, second, discussion, vote count, and outcome.
If ELAC is not constituted
• Do not vote to delegate.
• Document attendance and training provided.
• Identify remaining formation/election steps.
• Continue recruitment and reconvene.
Always document
• Meeting notice and agenda
• Sign-in/attendance
• Training materials
• Questions and discussion
• Formation status
• Next steps
CUSD delegation slide requires discussion, attendance, and vote to be recorded in written meeting minutes.
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026
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Thank You
Your voice helps Montclaire understand how to support English Learner students and families with clarity, care, and connection.
Tonight’s goal:
Leave with shared understanding and one clear next step for ELAC formation.
Questions?
Montclaire Elementary School • English Learner Advisory Committee organizational meeting
Montclaire ELAC Formation + Training Meeting
September 1, 2026