NEPN/NSBA Code:  BG-R

POLICY ADOPTION PROCEDURE

The following procedure shall be used to develop, adopt, review, revise, and/or delete School Committee policies:

A.  The School Committee’s Policy Committee is charged with reviewing and recommending all new policies/policy changes to be considered by the School Committee.

1. Individual School Committee members, the Superintendent, other standing committees, or other interested parties should submit policy suggestions and concerns to the Policy Committee. Policy suggestions that are submitted to the School Committee Chair or the Superintendent will be forwarded to the Policy Committee.

2. The Policy Committee, together with the Superintendent will be responsible for reviewing and researching each suggestion in accordance with School Committee policies, prepare draft policies as appropriate, and make recommendations to the entire School Committee.

3. The Policy Committee may prepare draft policies or delegate the drafting of all or individual  policies to the Superintendent.  

4. At an appropriate stage in the process, the Superintendent, on behalf of the Policy Committee and the School Committee, shall contact the representative teacher organization to meet and consult regarding any proposed new or changed educational policy.  To the fullest extent practical, the Superintendent shall also discuss the proposal with other groups affected by the policy.

The Policy Committee will make reports to the School Committee regarding its activities and the status of policy development.

B.  Upon recommendation by the Policy Committee, the first reading of a new policy, revision or deletion of policy shall be placed on the agenda of a regular School Committee meeting. SchoolCommittee members shall receive the policy and recommendations in advance of the meeting date. Discussion may take place on the substance of the policy proposal, and a formal vote shall be held to acknowledge the first reading of the policy. Any changes to the policy agreed to by consensus or formally adopted amendment shall be made prior to the second reading.

C.  At a subsequent regular meeting, more than two weeks and less than eight weeks after the first reading, the policy shall be placed on the  agenda for second reading and action. Amendments may be introduced and acted upon. If the main motion to approve the policy is not passed at such a meeting by a majority vote of the whole School Committee, the process for that policy is ended.

However, if appropriate, further consideration of the policy may be tabled to a specific date.

D.  Immediately upon approval, policies/revisions/deletions shall be disseminated. Policies deleted and changed shall be recalled. The Superintendent/designee shall ensure that all policy manuals are kept up-to-date.

Legal Reference: 26 MRSA § 965.1,C

Cross Reference: BEDB- Agenda

BG - School Committee Policy Process

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Reviewed: September 12, 2011

Reviewed: November 3, 2014

Reviewed: August 22, 2016

Revised: April 25, 2022