NEPN/NSBA Code:  BIC

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS' FREEDOM OF ACCESS TO TRAINING

In accordance with Maine law, every School Committee member, whether elected or appointed, must complete a course of training on the requirements of Maine’s Freedom of Access law as it relates to public records and proceedings not later than the 120th day after the date they take the oath of office to assume their duties.  

Freedom of Access training must be repeated within 120 days of taking the oath of office each time a School Committee member is elected to serve a new term. 

At a minimum, the training course must include instruction in:

A.  The general legal requirements of the Freedom of Access law regarding public records and public proceedings;

B.  Procedures and requirements regarding complying with a request for a public record under the Freedom of Access law; and

C.  Penalties and other consequences for failure to comply with the Freedom of Access law.

A School Committee member may meet the training requirement by conducting a thorough review of all the information made available by the State of Maine on the Frequently Asked Questions portion of its Freedom of Access website, or by completing any other training course that includes all of this information.

Each School Committee member shall attest by means of a written or electronic record that they have completed the training and provide a copy of such record to the Superintendent’s Office.

To facilitate training documentation, the Superintendent will make copies of the State’s sample Certificate of Completion of Freedom of Access Training form to School Committee members.

Legal Reference: 1 M.R.S.A. §§ 411, 412

Cross Reference: BID – New School Committee Member Orientation

KDB – Public’s Right to Know/Freedom of Access

Adopted: October 17, 2022