The School Committee of the Town shall consist of five members who shall be elected at large for a term of three years. Of the members elected at the first regular April election under this Charter, the two receiving the greatest number of votes cast shall serve for three years, the next two shall serve for two years, and the one receiving the fifth highest number of votes cast shall serve for one year. In subsequent elections, as their terms of office expire, members shall be elected for three-year terms.
School Committee members may receive compensation, if any shall be authorized by state statute, provided an appropriation is made for that purpose. They may also receive the actual and necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties within the limits of an appropriation made for that purpose and subject to such standards as may be established by rule or by bylaw. No sums for salary as may be authorized are to be construed as being within the scope of Section 34, Chapter 71, of the General Laws.
The school committee shall have all of the powers and duties school committees may have under the constitution and general laws of the Commonwealth which are not specifically assigned to some other office by this charter, and shall submit the school department budget to the town manager on or before the thirty-first day of December for inclusion in the annual town government budget.
[Amended 12-2-2019 STM, Art. 18, approved 2020 Annual Town Election]
School Committee vacancies shall be filled by a majority vote of a joint meeting of the Selectboard and the School Committee, with at least a quorum of each group present and voting.