CB
SCHOOL COMMITTEE - SUPERINTENDENT RELATIONSHIPS & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Committee shall employ a Superintendent of Schools and fix his/her compensation. The Superintendent shall act in accordance with General Laws, Chapter 71, Section 59, and shall perform such other duties consistent with this section as the Committee may determine. He/she shall also prepare such reports as may be required by the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and shall submit materials for the Committee's annual report to the selectmen of the member towns in sufficient time for printing in the annual reports of the member municipalities.
The Committee, will empower the Superintendent in all matters of decision and administration that come within his scope as executive officer or as professional leader of the school system as set forth by Massachusetts General Law and the policies of the District. While the Committee reserves to itself the ultimate decision in all matters concerning general policy or expenditures of funds, it will normally deliberate and make decisions after receiving relevant information from its executive officer.
Further:
The Superintendent will have the privilege of asking guidance from the Committee with respect to matters of operation whenever appropriate. If it is necessary to make exceptions to an established policy, the Superintendent will submit the matter to the Committee for advice and direction.
The Superintendent will assist the Committee in reaching sound judgments and establishing policies, and will place before the Committee all relevant facts, information, and reports necessary to keep the Committee adequately informed of situations or business at hand.
The School Committee Will:
Select the Superintendent of schools by majority vote and support him/her in the discharge of their duties with evaluations performed pursuant to the contract.
Through evaluation of the Superintendent, the School Committee will strive to accomplish the following:
a. Clarify for the Superintendent his/her role in the school system as seen by the School Committee.
b. Clarify for all Committee members the role of the Superintendent in light of his/her job description and the immediate priorities among his/her responsibilities as agreed upon by the Committee and the Superintendent.
c. Develop harmonious working relationships between the School Committee and Superintendent.
d. Provide administrative leadership of excellence for the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District.
e. The School Committee will periodically develop with the Superintendent a set of performance objectives based on the needs of the District. The Superintendent's performance will be reviewed in accordance with these specified goals. Additional objectives will be established at intervals agreed upon with the Superintendent.
Adopt policies for the operation of the public schools.
Consider and approve accounts payable.
Select representatives from its membership to serve on search Committees, should they be formed, to appoint the position of Superintendent, the assistant/associate superintendents, Director of Finance and Business Operations, administrator of special education, school physicians and registered nurses, legal counsel, and supervisors of attendance, upon recommendation of the superintendent. The Committee may also recommend that a search Committee be formed for other positions deemed necessary by the Committee.
Choose representatives from its membership to participate in collective bargaining as members of the Negotiations Subcommittee.
Require and discuss reports from the Superintendent concerning the progress of the schools in terms of achievement of students, teachers and supervisors.
Require and consider reports of business transacted or pending and of the financial status of the school system.
Present to the community, in conjunction with the Superintendent, recommendations or mandates resulting in changes in school curriculum or educational activities.
Consider recommendations for additional capital outlay, adopt plans for necessary improvements, and suggest methods of financing such projects.
Present the needs of the schools to the citizens of the District's member towns.
Adopt school curriculum, school improvement plans, the annual school calendar and all other obligations and responsibilities pursuant to MGL 71, Section 16 and 16A.
The Committee, upon the election of a candidate or upon reelection of the incumbent Superintendent, will enter into a written contract with the Superintendent which will meet the requirements of law and will protect the rights of both the Committee and the Superintendent.
NOTE: Under the laws of the Commonwealth, the School Committee may award a contract to a Superintendent of schools for a period not to exceed six years.
The Superintendent will:
Be considered the chief executive officer of the school Committee. All individuals employed by the Committee are responsible directly or indirectly to the Superintendent.
Select and enter into a contract with the Committee.
Establish rules and regulations to carry out all policies adopted by the School Committee.
Have power within the limits of major appropriations approved by the School Committee to approve and direct all purchases and expenditures.
Should the Superintendent form search Committees to include the public for the purpose of recommending qualified candidates to fill vacant professional positions, then School Committee representation shall be requested.
Recommend personnel policies for adoption and be responsible for assignments of all personnel.
Administer means of evaluating staff members. These duties may be delegated, but the Superintendent has final responsibility for actions of subordinates.
Prepare professional leadership for the educational program of the public schools. Update the Committee on changes in educational mandates and policies.
Develop plans for maintenance, improvement, safety, or expansion of buildings and site facilities needed to provide an adequate educational program.
Serve as a representative of the schools to the community. Develop and implement plans to keep the community informed about school matters.
Make decisions in accordance with Committee policy.
SOURCE: MASC
LEGAL REFS: M.G.L. 71:59; 72:3; 71:16; 71:16A; 71:41; 71:42
CROSS REF: BDD School Committee - Superintendent Relationship
First Reading: 10/25/04 Second Reading: 11/02/04 ADOPTED: 11/16/04 Revised & Readopted: 05/26/15