BBA School Committee Powers and Duties

File: BBA

SCHOOL COMMITTEE POWERS AND DUTIES

The School Committee has all the powers conferred upon it by state law and must perform those duties mandated by the state. These in­clude the responsibility and right to determine policies and prac­tices and to employ a staff to implement its directions for the proper education of the children of the community.

The Committee takes a broad view of its functions. It sees them as:

  1. Legislative or policymaking. The Committee is responsible for the development of policy as guides for administrative action and for employing a Superintendent who will implement its policies.

  2. Appraisal. The Committee is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of its policies and their implementation.

  3. Provision of financial resources. The Committee is responsible for adoption of a budget that will enable the school system to carry out the Committee's policies.

  4. Public relations. The Committee is responsible for providing adequate and direct means for keeping the local citizenry informed about the schools and for keeping itself and the school staff informed about the needs and wishes of the public.

  5. Educational planning and evaluation. The Committee is responsible for establishing educational goals and policies that will guide the Committee and staff in administration and continuing improvement of the educational programs provided by the School District.

Personnel Matters

The Superintendent shall be appointed by vote of the Committee and shall directly report to the Committee, as provided by law and perform all the duties that are prescribed by law and such other duties, not inconsistent there to, as a majority of the Committee may direct.

The School Committee shall appoint, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, School Business Administrator, Special Education Administrator, and School Physician. Such positions shall not report directly to the School Committee.


SOURCE: MASC July 2016

LEGAL REF.:

M.G.L. c.71:37 specifically, but powers and duties of School Committees are established throughout the Massachusetts General Laws.

CROSS REF.:

● BB, School Committee Legal Status

● DBJ, Budget Transfer Authority

● HF, School Committee Negotiating Agents

● BDG, School Attorney

School Committee Approval: July 23, 2018