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

2. Town of Scituate Charter Commission
Sources
US Department of Education
Title 16 Education
General Powers and Duties of School Committees
General powers and duties of superintendent
Municipal Charters in Rhode Island (Revised – 2013)
Town of Scituate Charter Commission

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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