TOWN OF SCITUATE CHARTER COMMISION School Committee/School Dept. November 6, 2017 Presented By: Susan D. Lessard Member, Town of Scituate Charter Commission

Town of Scituate Charter Commission Sources US Department of Education https://www2.ed.gov/print/about/overview/fed/role Title 16 Education http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/States/TITLE16/INDEX.HTM 16-2-9 General Powers and Duties of School Committees 16-2-11General powers and duties of superintendent Municipal Charters in Rhode Island (Revised – 2013) Town of Scituate Charter Commission

Agenda Brief Overview of the Roles :Federal, State and Municipal General Law 16-2-9 General powers and duties of school committees General Law 16-2-11 General powers and duties of superintendent Outcome of review of town charters specific to school committee Recommended Charter Language

Role of Federal, State and Local Communities To promote student achievement To prepare for global competiveness; improve the results of the educational system. Contributes about 8% of funds Systems oriented approach State State Funding: formula based Approximately 92% funds come from State and local sources Local Approximately 75% of Scituate property tax dollars supports the schools Town of Scituate Charter Commission

Findings from review of Charters related to School Committees 58% elected to 4 yr. term, 36% elected to 2yr.term 53% were 5 member, 29% were 7 member 57% elected at large, 37% a mix of district and at large 67% partisan, 33% non-partisan Some charters call for term limits of school committee members Town of Scituate Charter Commission

GL 16-2-9 General powers and duties of school committees “The entire care, control, and management of all public school interests of the several cities and towns shall be vested in the school committees of the several cities and towns. School committees shall have, in addition to those enumerated in this title, the following powers and duties……...” * see handout Town of Scituate Charter Commission

16-2-11 General powers and duties of superintendent “The superintendent of schools employed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall, under the direction of the school committee, have the care and supervision of the public schools and shall be the chief administrative agent of the school committee. The superintendent shall have any duties as are defined in this section and in this title and any other duties as may be determined by the school committee, and shall perform any other duties as may be vested in him or her by law.” * see handout Town of Scituate Charter Commission

Common Language Found in Many Town Charters School Committee Appoints the Superintendent of Schools School Committee Appoints one member of the Charter Review Commission The Department of Public Works, upon invitation, may assist with the overseeing of properties Financial Directors Maintain Responsibility for Town and School Town of Scituate Charter Commission