Middletown Public Schools                                                                       No. 1080

 

ADVISORY COMMITTEES

 

            The Middletown School Committee encourages the participation of citizens in three types of advisory committees; however, the legal responsibility for decision making in all matters of policy and operation rests solely with the School Committee.

 

·         Middletown School Committee appointed advisory committees, both district-wide and at the school level, will function within organizational frameworks approved by the School Committee.  Only the School Committee will have the authority to dissolve advisory committees it has created.

·         School and district level advisory committees that are required under federal and state programs will be formed, and will function, in accordance with the requirements pertaining to each specific program; the School Committee will grant to those bodies the advisory responsibilities relevant to the program or project.

·         Community groups that are neither appointed by the School Committee nor formed as required under federal or state programs are encouraged to offer suggestions to the School Committee in order to assist it in making decisions.  The final responsibility for all decisions, however, rests with the School Committee.

 

            The School Committee may appoint ad-hoc advisory committees to counsel it as one means of discerning the needs and desires of the school district and its residents.  The primary purpose of all advisory committees is to contribute to the educational program by conducting studies, identifying problems, and developing recommendations that will enhance the effectiveness of the decision making process.  The ultimate authority to make decisions will continue to reside in the powers and duties of the School Committee as imposed by law.

 

            Such advisory committees will be formed by the School Committee at such times and for such specific purposes as the School Committee deems necessary.  They will function until their assigned goal has been accomplished, and then will be dissolved.  Generally, citizens’ advisory committees will be assigned to investigate educational programs/issues which may need development, change, or reorganization and areas of community involvement in district affairs.

 

            The establishment and functioning of citizens advisory committees will be subject to the following requirements:

 

·         The Middletown School Committee will create the advisory committee and issue its assignment.  This will be fully outlined to the advisory committee when it is assigned.

·         All committees will be temporary.  They will be created to serve only during the school year of appointment or until completion of their assignment, whichever is shorter.  Continuing the Advisory committee for all or part of the subsequent school year is at the discretion of the School Committee.

·         Advisory committee members will be appointed by the Middletown School Committee.  Vacancies will be filled by the School Committee upon the advice of the advisory committee, or otherwise.  Persons appointed will be residents concerned with public education who are able to give the efforts, time and talent needed for the advisory committee’s assignment.

·         The School Committee may appoint the chairperson, or it may appoint an advisory committee member to serve as chairperson until the committee selects a chairperson from its membership.  The committee will appoint a member as necessary.

·         Minutes of advisory committee meetings will be promptly distributed to members, School Committee members, and the Superintendent and will be available to the public at the Superintendent’s Office.

·         Joint meetings of the School Committee and the advisory committee will be held at the request of the School Committee.

·         To ensure smooth and orderly procedures, the chairperson of the advisory committee will maintain liaison with the School Committee through the Superintendent's Office.

·         At the conclusion of its assignment, the advisory committee will submit a written report to the School Committee.  At this time, a joint meeting may be called to discuss the report and the committee’s recommendations.

·         Through the public records of the School Committee and other appropriate means, the public will be informed on the organization, purpose and membership of advisory committees and of each committee’s final recommendations.

·         The School Committee may appoint one of its members to provide liaison with each of its committees.  A School Committee member serving in such capacity shall meet or communicate with the advisory committee as deemed appropriate or as they request.

·         The Superintendent shall appoint a member of the staff to serve as a channel of communication between the Superintendent’s Office and all advisory committees.  The person serving in this capacity shall meet or communicate with the advisory committee as he/she deems proper or as the advisory committee may request, keeping informed as to activities, providing for the use of resources, and advising in the preparation of reports.  Staff liaison personnel to citizens’ advisory committees shall report directly to the Superintendent.

 

Reference:  Titles 16-2-9, 16-2-11 and 16-7.1-10.

 

 

 

1^st Reading – January 15, 2009

2^nd Reading and Approval – February 12, 2009