File: BDFA-E1

CONDUCT OF SCHOOL COUNCIL BUSINESS

The principal shall, by law, serve as co-chair of the council. The second co-chair will be elected annually by the council members at the council’s first meeting of the school year. The co-chairs will be responsible for the preparation of the agenda for the council meetings.

The school council shall meet at least once monthly during the school year. Meetings will be held outside of school hours. At its first meeting of the school year, the council will set its calendar of regular meetings for the year. Where circumstances warrant, the council may choose to call additional meetings.

Consensus shall be used by school councils as the primary method to resolve issues and to formulate recommendations. Votes by majority may be taken at the discretion of the principal and Roberts Rules of Order shall prevail if there are questions of procedure.

All meetings of the school council shall conform to the Open Meeting Law, Chapter 30A, Sections 18-25, which stipulate that all meetings be open to the public, that meetings be posted at least 48 hours in advance, and that minutes of the meeting shall be maintained as required. The scope of the school council does not require, and therefore, does not qualify for, executive session.

The superintendent shall receive agendas and minutes of all school council meetings. The superintendent shall provide copies of these materials to members of the school committee for information.

[Approved: 3/8/99]

[Reviewed: December 2001]

[Revised: April 2005]

[Revised: November 2011]

LEGAL REFS.:

M.G.L. CHAPTER 71, SECTION 59C CHAPTER 30A, SECTIONS 18-25