SCHOOL COMMITTEE ADVISORY COMMITTEES

The School committee may establish advisory committees to perform specific functions. Advisory committees may study particular problems or issues and make reports and/or recommendations to the School committee, but may not act for the School committee.

Advisory committees may include individuals who are not elected members of the School committee but each advisory committee shall have at least one School committee representative.

The School committee will consult with the Superintendent before establishing or dissolving any advisory committee. The number of members, the composition of each advisory committee, and the selection of members will be determined by the School committee, in consultation with the Superintendent based upon the purpose of the committee.

The scope and authority of any advisory committee shall be limited to that assigned to it by the School committee. The School committee is in no way obligated to follow advisory committee recommendations.

Usually, an advisory committee will be dissolved promptly upon completion of its task, however, some advisory committees may be ongoing in nature. An advisory committee may be dissolved at any time by School committee action.

So that the School committee's intent and expectations are clear, each advisory committee shall be instructed in writing concerning:

A. The purpose of the committee, the specific issue(s) for study, and/or the scope of the committee's activity;

B. The composition of the committee, including designation of voting and non- voting members, if applicable;

C. The length of time each member is expected to serve;

D. The role of the committee as being advisory only;

E. The resources the School committee will provide to assist the committee in completing its task;

F. The expectations regarding the committee's relationship with the School committee, the Superintendent and school system personnel;

G. The designation of the individual who will be responsible for providing information to the public concerning the committee and its work;

H. The time and place of the first meeting;

I. The timeline for progress reports to the School committee and/or other activities;

J. If applicable, the date on which the School committee expects to receive a final report or recommendations and dissolve the committee.

All advisory committee meetings are open to the public except as may otherwise be provided by law. Committee reports and minutes of advisory committee meetings, if prepared, are public information subject to the Freedom of Access Law.

Notice of advisory committee meetings shall be provided in a manner consistent with the School committee's policy and practice concerning notification of School committee meetings.

The School committee recognizes that any advisory committee mandated by state law or Department of Education regulations may require deviation from any or all of the provisions of this policy. Any such deviations shall be identified when the School committee establishes such a committee and reflected in the School committee's instructions to the committee.

Legal Reference: 1 M.R.S.A. § 401 et seq.

Adopted:5/12/2015