Policy BBA: Purposes and Responsibilities

The Amherst, Pelham, and Amherst-Pelham School Committees, as organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have all powers conferred upon them by state law and must perform those duties mandated by the state. Whatever powers and authority the School Committee has, it has as a unit, acting in formal session.

According to Chapter 71, Sections 37 and 59 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, the School Committee:

• shall have the power to select and to terminate the superintendent, and fix his compensation,
• shall establish and appoint positions of assistant or associate superintendents (upon recommendation of the superintendent) and shall fix their compensation,
• shall review and approve budgets for public education in the district, and
• shall establish educational goals and policies for the schools in the district consistent with the requirements of law and statewide goals and standards established by the board of education.

The School Committee takes a broad view of its functions and duties, which include the following:

1. Policymaking or Legislative. The Committee is responsible for the development of policy as guides for administrative action. The Committee is responsible for employing a Superintendent who will implement its policies and who will be responsible for the effective administration and supervision of the school system.
2. Evaluation and Appraisal. The Committee is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of its policies and their implementation. The Committee will request of the Superintendent such reports and presentations as are deemed necessary to determine both the manner in which policies have been administered and the appropriateness of the policies themselves.
3. Provision of Financial Resources. The Committee is responsible for adoption of a fiscally responsible annual budget that will enable the school system to carry out the Committee’s policies and to meet the students’ educational needs. The Superintendent will submit a budget according to a time-line approved by the School Committee. The Committee will exercise general supervision over the finances of the school system in keeping with regular budgetary procedures.
4. Public Relations. The Committee is responsible, with the administration, to maintain effective communication with the public to keep the community informed about the purposes, needs, and programs of the schools. The Committee is responsible for providing adequate and direct means for keeping itself informed about the needs and wishes of the public.
5. Education. The Committee is responsible for establishing policies and for reviewing and approving the educational goals and objectives of the district. The policies, goals and objectives will guide the staff and administration in striving for continuing improvement of the educational programs of the district.
6. Superintendent Evaluation. The Committee is responsible for evaluating the performance of the Superintendent. The evaluation will be done annually by the entire Committee.