Yarmouth School Department

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School Committee Organization and Officers
NEPN/NSBA Code:  BDB

The School Committee shall consist of the Superintendent, ex officio as secretary, and seven members duly elected. The School Committee shall organize annually at the first meeting after elections and shall elect a Chair and Vice-chair.

Duties of the Secretary:

By State statute, the Superintendent serves as the secretary of the School Committee, with the right to speak on all questions and offer recommendations. The Secretary shall be responsible for ensuring that a record is kept of all business transacted by the School Committee at either regular or duly called special meetings, and shall perform such other functions as are ordinarily functions of this office.

The Superintendent or his/her designee shall record the subject matter to be voted and the final vote of the School Committee at all regular and special meetings held by the School Committee. These records shall be kept in a book at the Superintendent’s office, accessible at any time to School Committee members or the State Department for inspection.

The Superintendent shall act as corresponding agent for the School Committee, preserving copies of correspondence, and shall perform all other duties incident to the office or that may be required by the School Committee. The Superintendent shall transmit copies of votes, orders, rules, regulations, resolutions and documents which are to be sent to members of the School Committee, and shall promptly notify all School Committee members of any matter and furnish them with all papers, copies or orders, or other matters included in such references. He/she shall notify teachers of their election or of any changes that may be made by the School Committee and their assignments to grade and school.

Duties of the Chair:

The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the School Committee and shall perform other duties as directed by law, Maine Department of Education rules, and by this School Committee. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Chair shall:

• With the approval of the School Committee, appoint standing committees and special committees and serve as an ex-officio member of all such committees;

• Sign the instruments, acts and orders necessary to carry out state requirements and the will of the School Committee;

• Consult with the Superintendent in the planning of the School Committee’s meeting agendas;

• Call special meetings of the School Committee as found necessary;

• Be the public spokesperson for the School Committee at all times except as this responsibility is specifically delegated to others; and

• Be responsible for the orderly conduct of all School Committee meetings.

• As presiding officer at all meetings of the School Committee, the Chair shall:

  • Call the meeting to order at the appointed time;

  • Announce the business to come before the School Committee in its proper order;

  • Enforce the School Committee’s policies relating to the order of business and the conduct of meetings;

  • Recognize persons who desire to speak and protect the speaker who has the floor from disturbance or interference.

  • Explain what the effect of a motion would be if this is not clear to members;

  • Restrict discussion to the question when a motion is before the School Committee;

  • Answer all parliamentary inquiries, referring questions of legality to the School Committee attorney; and

  • Put motions to a vote, stating definitely and clearly the vote and result thereof.

• Have the right, as other School Committee members have, to offer resolutions, discuss questions and vote.

Duties of the Vice-Chair:

In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall perform all the duties of the Chair.

Legal Reference: 20-A MRSA § 2302
Adopted: Prior to 1982
Revised: June 8, 1992; February 9, 2012