BIA - New School Committee Member Orientation

File: BIA

 

New School Committee Member Orientation


 

In accordance with the requirements of law, each new Franklin School Committee Member elected to the School Committee is required to complete, within one year of their election or appointment, at least eight hours of orientation training.  This orientation shall include, but is not limited to, a review of School Finance, the Open Meeting Law, Public Records Law, Conflict of Interest Law, Special Education Law, Collective Bargaining, School Leadership Standards and Evaluations, and the Roles and Responsibilities of School Committee Members.
 

The Franklin School Committee and Superintendent shall assist each new member to understand the Committee’s functions, policies and procedures of the Committee as soon after election as possible.  Each new member shall be given or provided direct online access to the following materials:

  • A copy of the School Committee policy manual
  • A copy of the Open Meeting Law
  • A copy of the Ethics/Conflict of Interest Regulations
  • A copy of the district’s budget
  • Collective bargaining agreements and contracts
  • Student and staff handbooks
The Chair and/or Superintendent shall also clarify procedures that involve:
 
  • How a community member (parent(s)/guardian, teacher, etc.) may make a request of the Committee; appropriate responses/actions of an individual School Committee member when a request is presented directly to him or her.
  • How School Committee members may make arrangements to visit schools, and the protocol associated with such visits.
  • How the School Committee members request information regarding district operations
  • How the School Committee receives and examines complaints relating to personnel or programs.
  • How and why executive sessions may be held; what is considered privileged information.
Whether appointed or elected, new members should be advised that they are also members of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, Inc. and should be encouraged to utilize the services and resources MASC provides by attending meetings or workshops specifically designed for new Committee members.  Their expenses at these meetings or workshops will be reimbursed in accordance with established School Committee policy.

 

CROSS REF:  BBBA School Committee Member Qualifications/Oath of Office
LEGAL REFS.:  M.G.L.  Chapter 71§36A

 

Revision:  March 14, 2006
Reviewed; no revisions  7/29/08
Reviewed; no revisions 6/16/15
Reviewed; revised; adopted by School Committee:  2/27/2018