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THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEES 

The School Committee has all the powers conferred upon it by state law and must perform those duties mandated by the state.  These include the responsibility and right to determine policies and practices and to employ a staff to implement its directions for the proper education of the children of the community.

The Committee takes a broad view of its functions.  It sees them as:

1.  Legislative or policymaking.  The Committee is responsible for the development of policy as guides for administrative action and for employing a Superintendent who will implement its policies.

2.  Appraisal.  The Committee is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of its policies and their implementation.

3.  Provision of financial resources.  The Committee is responsible for adoption of a budget that will enable the school system to carry out the Committee's policies.

4.  Public relations.  The Committee is responsible for providing adequate and direct means for keeping the local citizenry informed about the schools and for keeping itself and the school staff informed about the needs and wishes of the public.

5.  Educational planning and evaluation.  The Committee is responsible for establishing educational goals and policies that will guide the Committee and staff for the administration and continuing improvement of the educational programs provided by the School District.

Personnel Matters

The Superintendent shall be appointed by vote of the Committee and shall directly report to the Committee as provided by law and perform all the duties that are prescribed by law and such other duties, not inconsistent thereto, as a majority of the Committee may direct.
 

School Committee inquiries may be submitted to Melissa Wilcox, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent |Email|(508) 758-2772 ext. 1956

Committee Information & Meeting Resources

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Subcommittee Roles

Budget Subcommittee
Consistent with Policy DBD, the Superintendent will have overall responsibility for budget preparation. The first priority in the development of an annual budget will be the educational well-being of the students reflecting the District’s goals while considering the interest(s) of the taxpayers. The budget document shall reflect all sources of revenue. It shall clearly explain how those funds will be used. The subcommittee will work with the Superintendent and appropriate administrative staff, as well as appropriate town representatives, to review and prepare financial planning.  The subcommittee will bring forward its recommendations to the school committee in order to support the annual school district budget, documents for certification and ongoing financial concerns of the district. The subcommittee will provide regular reports and/or recommendations to the school committee.

Equity Subcommittee
Consistent with Policy JBB, the School Committee’s goal is to strive to address the needs of every student in each of our schools. The Equity subcommittee will work together with building administration to encourage access to high quality curriculum, support, and other educational materials/resources while creating schools with a welcoming and inclusive culture and environment. The subcommittee will review discipline data, action plans and initiatives to support this learning. The subcommittee will provide regular reports and/or recommendations to the school committee.

Facilities Subcommittee
Consistent with Policy FA, the responsibility of the Facilities subcommittee is to maintain facilities throughout the school system that support learning. The subcommittee may be involved in safety and security of the schools, technology, infrastructure and facilities related projects. The subcommittee will work with administration in these areas on an as-needed basis. The subcommittee will provide regular reports and/or recommendations to the school committee.

District Wellness Committee
Consistent with Policy ADF, the District Wellness Committee will create, strengthen and work with the school-building administrators to, implement, monitor, review, and, as necessary, revise the school Wellness Program Policy. The committee will also serve as a resource to each of the District's school buildings for implementing the District Wellness Program Policy. The District Wellness Committee may be composed of parents, high school students, and the school food authority, members of the school committees, school administrators, teachers, health professionals, physical education teachers and members of the public. The subcommittee will provide regular reports and/or recommendations to the school committee.

Negotiations Subcommittee
Consistent with Policy HA, the School Committee is responsible for negotiations with recognized employee bargaining units. The subcommittee will convene as needed to analyze current collective bargaining agreements, make recommendations and review requests from the units accordingly. The subcommittee may utilize legal counsel to assist in negotiations. The subcommittee will conduct formal discussions with the bargaining unit to come to terms in a Memorandum of Agreement, which will be presented to the full school committee for review and approval.

Policy Subcommittee
Consistent with Policy BGC, the Superintendent is expected to call to the attention of the subcommittee all policies that are out of date or for other reason appear to need revision. All policies must reflect best practices, be aligned with the requirements of law and the statewide goals and standards established by the Board of Education, and must not be in conflict with current contracts and handbooks of the school(s). Staff, parents, and the community will have input into this process. The subcommittee may take into consideration model policies developed by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. Where appropriate, the subcommittee Chair, or designee, will seek advice from the School Committee’s legal counsel. The subcommittee will provide regular reports and/or recommendations to the school committee.

Superintendent’s Goals Subcommittee
Consistent with Policy CBI, the Superintendent’s Goals subcommittee is responsible for working with the Superintendent to establish goals for the school system in adherence to Regulation 603 CMR 35.00: Evaluation of Educators from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The subcommittee will review the evaluation process, including timeline, evaluation documents and organization of materials. The Superintendent's performance will be reviewed in accordance with these specified goals and standards according to the evaluation cycle agreed upon by the Superintendent and the members of the Joint School Committee. The subcommittee will provide regular reports and/or recommendations to the school committee.

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