BBAA

The organization, management and control of the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District is vested in the school committee, which exercises the powers and discharges the duties imposed by Massachusetts statute. It shall be the purpose of the school committee to provide education of the best obtainable quality for the residents of the district, within the limitations imposed by the taxpayers’ ability to pay and willingness to support the educational program. The school committee shall be the legal representative, not only of the citizens of the district, but of the state as well.

The powers and duties of the school committee shall be as conferred and prescribed by law.

In interpretation of the powers and duties of the school committee, it is understood that the school committee shall act as a governing body in the determination of general policies for the control, operation, maintenance and expansion of the school district.

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

1. Legislative or policy making. 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 objectives that will guide the committee and the staff in developing goals and working together for the continued improvement of the educational program.

LEGAL REF.: MGL Ch. 71:37 specifically, but powers and duties of school committees are established throughout the Massachusetts General Laws.

Adopted October 5, 1972

Amended April 24, 2002

Amended January 9, 2013

Role and Function of the School Committee Meeting

The meetings of the school committee are basic to the operation of the school district. All official action of the school committee shall be taken only when the school committee is in formal session.

Since members of the school committee are unable to function officially as individuals, the school committee meeting presents an opportunity for the school program to be discussed and appraised and for individual biases and opinions to be aired as the school committee works toward consensus decisions on specific instances. In addition, the meeting provides an appropriate place for items of interest or concern to individual citizens or groups of the school community to be heard under the Citizens’ Forum agenda item.

Adopted October 5, 1972

Amended April 24, 2002

Amended January 9, 2013