BG
BG: SCHOOL COMMITTEE POLICY DEVELOPMENT
The School Committee will develop policies and put them in writing so that they may serve as guides for the discretionary action of those to whom it delegates authority.
The formulation and adoption of these written policies will constitute the basic method by which the School Committee will exercise its leadership in providing for the successful and efficient functioning of the school system. Through the study and evaluation of reports concerning the execution of its policies, the School Committee will exercise its control over school operation.
The School Committee accepts the definition of policy set forth by the National School Boards Association:
Policies are principles adopted by a school committee to chart a course of action. They tell what is wanted; they may include why and how much. Policies should be broad enough to indicate a line of action to be followed by the administration in meeting day-to-day problems, yet be specific enough to give clear guidance. All policies developed by the School Committee shall be free of bias and shall not infringe upon the rights of any protected classes.
The policies of the School Committee are framed, and are meant to be interpreted, in terms of state law, regulations of the Massachusetts Board of Education, and other regulatory agencies of the various levels of government.
The procedure for introducing a policy is as follows:
A policy may be initiated by a member of the School Committee, School Council, an administrator, a teacher, a school department employee, or an interested citizen by requesting the Superintendent to provide for a discussion of the proposed policy by listing it on a regular School Committee agenda.
The person initiating the discussion should provide the Superintendent with a written statement of the proposed policy when he/she requests its inclusion on an agenda. This statement should be sent to the Committee members with the agenda.
Arrangement shall be made by the Superintendent for the discussion of this policy at the School Committee meeting.
After the proposed policy has been presented to the School Committee (and it is recommendation for inclusion as a policy) a revised statement shall be prepared and presented at the next or future School Committee meeting.
Recommendations of advisory committees will be based upon research and fact.
The School Committee possesses certain legal powers and prerogatives that cannot be delegated or surrendered to others. Therefore, all recommendations of an advisory committee must be submitted to the School Committee.
The School Committee will have the sole power to dissolve any of its advisory committees and will reserve the right to exercise this power to any time during the life of any committee.
SOURCE: Georgetown
Adopted on: September 27, 2007
Revised on: February 12, 2020