Those who govern and administer
the Commonwealth’s public schools must share a vision, a clear purpose, and the
ability and courage to lead.
POLICY:
Establish and
periodically review educational goals and policies for the schools in the district,
consistent with the requirements of law and the statewide goals and standards established
by the Board of Education.
FINANCE:
Review and approve a budget for education in the
district according to a process and timeline developed with the superintendent. Work to ensure that necessary funds are
appropriated for the district and that a balance is maintained between needs and resources
in the distribution of available monies.
STAFFING:
Appoint the
superintendent, and upon the superintendent’s recommendation appoint the assistant
superintendent, school business manager, administrator of special education, school
physician(s), and legal counsel. Set
compensation for superintendent and overall compensation limits for assistant/associate
superintendents, school business administrator, administrator of special education, school
physicians and registered nurses, legal counsel, school principals and other
administrators not assigned to particular schools. Prescribe
additional qualifications for educator positions, beyond basic certification. Discipline or terminate the employment of the
superintendent, in accordance with state law and the terms of the contract of employment.
COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING:
Act as employer of school employees for collective
bargaining purposes. Designate a negotiator
or negotiating team. Receive advice from
superintendent about educational consequences of bargaining positions.
PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS:
Establish, upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the
performance standards for teachers and other employees of the school district. Evaluate the performance of the superintendent. Conduct self-evaluation of the committee’s
effectiveness in meeting its stated goals and performing its role in public school
governance.
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT:
Adopt a professional development plan for all principals,
teachers and other professional staff employed by the district. Provide and encourage resources for school
committee professional development programs that will enable school leaders to have the
knowledge and skills required to provide effective policy leadership for the school
system.
SCHOOL
COUNCILS:
Review and approve an annual school improvement plan for each
school in the district. Provide and encourage
resources for school council professional development programs that will enable council
members to have the knowledge and skills required to provide effective educational
leadership.
ADVOCACY:
Engage in advocacy on behalf of students and their schools and
promote the benefits of a public school system in the community. Work closely, when appropriate, with other
governmental agencies and bodies. Collaborate
with other school committees through state and national school committee associations to
let state legislators, members of Congress and all other appropriate state and federal
officials know of local concerns and issues.
CURRICULUM:
Approve major adoption or revision of curriculum and textbooks
upon recommendation of the superintendent.
GOVERNANCE:
Establish educational goals and policies for the schools in the
district, consistent with the requirement of law and the statewide goals and standards
established by the Board of Education. Delegate
to the superintendent the responsibilities for all administrative functions. Act only as a body as prescribed by law and not as
individual members.
COMMUNICATION:
Support the development and promotion of the vision, mission,
goals and strategies of the school system. Review
prior to all school committee meetings the information provided by the superintendent and
when possible, communicate any questions or concerns to the superintendent prior to the
meeting to provide an opportunity for a response. Consult
and confer with the superintendent on all matters as they arise that concern the school
system, and on which the school committee may take actions. Maintain open communication between the community
and the schools by scheduling public meetings on a regular basis. Support the superintendent in all matters that
conform to committee policy.
* excerpted from “Roles and Responsibilities for School
Committees and Superintendents” – Massachusetts Association of School
Committees, Boston, MA