SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
NEPN/NSBA Code:  BE 

The School Committee shall hold its regular meetings at 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, September through June, and as determined by the Chair during July and August.  If such a meeting falls on a District observed holiday or vacation day, the meeting shall not be scheduled. The Chair, in consultation with the Superintendent and other School Committee members, may postpone regular meeting dates as deemed necessary. The Chairperson may designate one regular meeting per month as a workshop session and may also reschedule regular meetings to accommodate the needs of the District and the Committee, or after such consultation with the Superintendent and polling of other Committee members as the Chairperson deems appropriate to the circumstances. Regular meetings shall be held at an appropriate District facility or Town facility as designated in the Notice of the Meeting.

The School Committee shall hold an organizational meeting within five business days of the election of members each year, at which time the School Committee will elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for the ensuing year.

The Chair shall serve notice that the School Committee meeting stands adjourned at 10:30 p.m. unless otherwise voted by a majority of the School Committee. The School Committee shall adjourn the meeting to the following Monday or other mutually convenient date to complete any unfinished business.

Special Meetings

A special meeting of the School Committee is a meeting that is held to address important matters that arise between regular meetings and/or require School Committee action before the time set for the next regular meeting, or to consider a single subject in one session.

A special meeting may be called by the Chairperson, or in the Chairperson’s absence, by the Vice-Chairperson and shall be called, if requested in writing to the Superintendent by a majority of the School Committee members. Notice of all special meetings shall be made by the Superintendent to the members at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting. Special meetings may be held at such times as the notice may specify.

The Superintendent shall be responsible for providing notice of a special meeting to School Committee members and the media at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. The notice or agenda shall indicate the subject(s) of the meeting and action to be taken.

No business other than that stated in the notice of the Special meeting shall be transacted.

Emergency Meetings

An emergency meeting of the School Committee is a meeting that is called because a matter is so urgent that it must be addressed immediately and the advance notice required for a special meeting cannot reasonably be provided.

An emergency meeting may be called by the Chair or at the request of the Superintendent.

Whenever practicable, 24 hour advance notice will be provided. The notice shall include time and location and indicate the purpose the subject of the meeting.

No business may be transacted other than that related to the purpose for which the emergency meeting is called.

Executive Sessions

Executive sessions of the School Committee shall be called and conducted in accordance with state law. Only the matter(s) stated in the motion to enter executive session shall be considered. No final action may be taken in executive session.

Workshops and Informational Meetings

The School Committee, at its discretion, may schedule workshops and other meetings to discuss a particular subject or proposal or to gather input from staff, community, or other groups.

Legal Reference: 1 MRSA § 403
Cross Reference: BEC - Executive Sessions
BEDA - Notification of School Committee Meetings
Adopted: Prior to 1982
Revised: June 8, 1992, April 11, 1994; November 9, 2017