File: BDF

ADVISORY COMMITTEES TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The following general policies will govern the appointment and functioning of advisory committees to the Greater Fall River Vocational School District Committee other than the student advisory committee, which is governed by the terms of the Massachusetts General Laws.

1. Advisory committees may be created by the Greater Fall River Vocational School District Committee to serve as task forces for special purposes or to provide continuing consultation in a particular area of activity. However, there will be no standing overall advisory committee to the District School Committee.
2. If an advisory committee is required by state or federal law, its composition and appointment will meet all the guidelines established for that particular type of committee.
3. The composition of task forces and any other advisory committees will be broadly representative and take into consideration the specific tasks assigned to the committee.  Members of the professional staff may be appointed to the committees members or consultants, as found desirable.
4. Appointments to such committees will be made by the Committee; appointment of staff members to such committees will be made by the Committee upon recommendation of the Superintendent-Director.
5. Tenure of committee members will be one year only unless the member is reappointed.
6. Each committee will be clearly instructed as to:
1. The length of time each member is being asked to serve.
2. The assignment the District School Committee wishes the committee to fulfill and the extent and limitations of its respon­sibilities.
3. The resources the District School Committee will provide.
4. The approximate dates on which the District School Committee wishes to receive major reports.
5. District School Committee policies governing citizens, committees and the relationship of these committees to the Greater Fall River Vocational School District Committee as a whole, individual District School Committee mem­bers, the Superintendent-Director, and other members of the professional staff.
6. Responsibilities for the release of information to the press.
7. Recommendations of committees will be based upon research and fact.
8. The District School Committee possesses certain legal powers and purgatives that cannot be delegated or surrendered to others.  Therefore, all recommendations of an advisory committee must be submitted to the District School Committee.
9. Advisory committees created under this policy are subject to the provisions of the Open Meeting Law.

The Committee will have the sole power to dissolve any of its advisory committees and will reserve the right to exercise this power at any time during the life of any committee.

SOURCE:  MASC

LEGAL REF.:  M.G.L. 30A:18-25

CROSS REF.:  JIB, Student Involvement in Decision-making

NOTE:  This category is for filing a general policy on advisory committees made up entirely or largely of non-school personnel. Supporting regulations may be needed.

If there is a general staff advisory committee for making all types of recommendations to the School Committee, statements about the advisory committee would be filed in ABB (Also GBB), Staff Involvement in Decision making.  However, statements about staff committees that function in special areas, or groups composed only of administrators, are better filed elsewhere and cross-referenced from here or from ABB, as appropriate.

The cross reference on the above policy is to a closely related topic, which pertains to the student advisory committee required by law.

Approved by SC: 10/11/18