Middletown Public Schools                                                                       No. 1041

SCHOOL COMMITTEE POLICY PROCESS

            The School Committee considers policy development one of its chief functions.  It is the intent of the Committee to develop policies and put them in writing so that they may serve as guidelines and goals for the successful and efficient functioning of the public schools.

            Through the development and adoption of written policies, the School Committee will exercise its leadership in the operation of the school system.  Through study and evaluation of the reports concerning the execution of its written policies, the Committee will exercise its authority over school operations, in concert with administration.

            The policies of the School Committee are developed and are meant to be interpreted, in terms of state laws, regulations of the State Department of Education, the Board of Regents and other applicable state and federal regulations.  The policies are also formed, and meant to be interpreted, in terms of those educational objectives, procedures and practices that are broadly accepted by leaders and authorities in the public education field.

            These written policies serve as guides for the discretionary action of those to whom it delegates authority and as a source of information and guidance for all persons who are interested in, and affected by, the district schools.

            Changes in needs, conditions, purposes and objectives will require revisions, deletions and additions to the policies of present and future School Committees.  The Committee will welcome suggestions for ongoing policy development.  Only those written statements so adopted and recorded shall be regarded as official School Committee policy.

            The School Committee hereby creates a standing committee of two (2) School Committee members and the Superintendent of Schools to develop, review, revise and recommend to the sitting School Committee such policy.  The standing committee may, on its own, request testimony, legal advice and consultation as it deems necessary.  At the pleasure of the standing committee, members of the Administrative team and appropriate members of the community, staff and student body may serve as ex-officio members of this standing.

HISTORY:  Series 9100

1^st Reading – July 21, 2005

2^nd Reading and Approval – August 18, 2005

Revised – January 15, 2009