School Committee Operating Protocols

Who We Represent

We represent the educational and developmental needs and interests of all students in the district and place their interests above all others in the decisions we make.

How We Govern

We acknowledge that a School Committee meeting is a meeting of the School Committee that is held in public not a public meeting.
We shall conduct business through a set agenda that is tied to district goals. Emerging items shall be addressed in subsequent meetings through planned agenda items unless it is determined by the School Committee Chairperson that it would be detrimental to delay the issue until a subsequent meeting. Requests to add items to an agenda shall be made to the Superintendent or the School Committee Chairperson in accordance with the law.
We shall strive to make each meeting effective and efficient giving each member an equal opportunity to express their views and opinions and to relay their input in a concise and topic-focused manner. No one member should monopolize the discussion. All remarks must be directed through the Chair. Remarks must be courteous in language and deportment.
We shall make decisions based on information and not on personalities after considering data, the Superintendents recommendations, proposals, and suggestions. We will vote our convictions, avoid bias, and uphold and support the decision of the majority of the Committee once a decision is made. We will explain the reasons for our votes.
We shall exhibit professional conduct and behavior.
We shall attend meetings well-prepared to discuss issues on the agenda and to participate in efficient decision-making.
When we are in committee we will remain in our committee member role throughout the meeting.
We shall ensure that we do not breach the open meeting laws by deliberating outside of duly convened meetings of the committee.
Public input at meetings may be made on items not on the agenda, or otherwise at the discretion of the Chairperson.

We shall respect the confidentiality of Executive Sessions.
Our actions shall be consistent with the core values of the district, and be consistent with our vision of a high class organization.
We will act as liaisons to our member towns.
Our work will be guided by Roberts Rules of Order and the Norms of Collaboration we have adopted.
The Superintendent of Schools and such staff needed to advise the Committee shall be seated at the Committee table.

How We Treat Each Other

We shall debate the issues keeping an open mind to other members opinions and/or positions.
We shall respect staff and fellow board members at all times.
We shall work to build trust between and among School Committee members, the Superintendent and the Administration by treating everyone with dignity and respect, even in times of disagreement.

How We Communicate

The Superintendent and the School Committee recognize the importance of proactive communication. If School Committee members have questions or concerns, they agree to contact the Superintendent well in advance of a meeting. They agree that here will be no surprises.
We shall channel requests for information through the Superintendent and/or the School Committee Chairperson rather than directly to district staff.
We shall provide full disclosure of information and not withhold information from other members.
We will strive to not surprise one another or the Superintendent.
We shall advocate for the public schools and public education as ambassadors of the school system by promoting support for public education and spreading the news of our success. We shall always strive to project a positive image.
We recognize the Chairperson, or her/his designee, as the official voice of the School Committee.
The Superintendent and the School Committee recognize the importance of working collaboratively with city officials to improve our schools and we shall actively seek ways to enlist their support for our efforts. Town officials shall channel requests for information through the Chairperson for consideration by the School Committee.

How We Will Improve

All new School Committee members will attend an MASC orientation session as soon as practicable, but within one year of being elected.
All members will be open to continued personal growth through participating in training opportunities.
We shall review and revise operating protocols annually through an annual workshop.
We shall develop and maintain a district new member orientation program.

What Are Our Limits of Authority

We shall exercise leadership in vision, planning, policy, budgeting, evaluation of the Superintendent of Schools, and advocacy of the district, consistent with the law and our policies.
It is the Superintendents responsibility to oversee personnel issues and to manage the day-to-day operations of the district. It is the School Committees responsibility to evaluate the superintendents effectiveness in these matters.
We shall recognize that authority rests only with the majority decision of the School Committee and we shall not make any independent commitments or take any independent actions that may compromise the School Committee as a whole.
We shall follow the chain of command and direct others to do the same. Complaints and concerns regarding personnel will be directed to the Superintendent.
We shall not use our positions for personal or partisan gain.
We shall refer any important questions or concerns received from members of the community to the Superintendent. The Superintendent, not any School Committee member has the authority to investigate. The Superintendent shall provide committee members with his/her response. It is not the role of the School Committee to resolve issues.

What Happens When Things Go Wrong

We shall work together to clarify and restate discussions in order to strive for full understanding.
We recognize the importance of honoring our agreed upon operating protocols and we agree to take responsibility for reminding one another when we get off track.
We shall maintain fidelity to these commitments and will be held accountable by our fellow School Committee members should any of us fail to live up to these commitments. If a School Committee member or Superintendent violates any of the operating protocols, he/she will be referred to the Chairperson or in the case of the Chairperson to the Vice Chairperson.

School Committee Meeting (Final Budget Vote) - 7-00 PM

Meeting Information

Supporting Documents