No member of the school committee shall hold any other compensated
city position. No former member of the school committee shall hold
any compensated appointed city office or city employment until 1 year
following the date on which that member's service on the school
committee terminated. This section shall not prevent a city officer
or other city employee who has vacated a position in order to serve
as a member of the school committee from returning to the same office
or other position of city employment held at the time the position
was vacated; provided, however, that no such person shall be eligible
for any other municipal position until at least 1 year following the
termination of service as a member of the school committee.
The school committee shall have all powers which are conferred
on school committees by the General Laws and the additional powers
and duties provided by charter, ordinance or otherwise and not inconsistent
with the General Laws. The powers and duties of the school committee
shall include:
(a) selecting and removing a superintendent of the schools who shall
be charged with the administration of the school system, subject only
to policy guidelines and directives adopted by the school committee
and, upon the recommendation of the superintendent, to establish and
appoint assistant or associate superintendents as authorized by the
General Laws;
(b) making all reasonable policies, rules and regulations for the management
of the public school system and for conducting the business of the
school committee as deemed necessary or desirable; and
(c) adopting and overseeing the administration of an annual operating
budget for the school department, subject to appropriation by the
city council; provided, however, that the school committee shall have
general charge and superintendence of all school buildings and grounds
and shall furnish all school buildings with proper fixtures, furniture
and equipment; provided further, that the school committee shall provide
ordinary maintenance of all school buildings and grounds, unless a
central municipal maintenance department, which may include maintenance
of school buildings and grounds, is established; provided further,
that whenever the school committee shall determine that additional
classrooms are necessary to meet the educational needs of the community,
at least 1 member of the school committee, or a designee of the school
committee, shall serve on the agency, board or committee for the planning
or construction of the new, remodeled or renovated school building.
The school committee, or any member thereof, shall not give
orders or directions to any employee of the school department appointed
by the superintendent, either publicly or privately.
If a vacancy shall occur on the school committee, the vacancy
shall be filled in the descending order of votes received by the candidate
for the office of school committee at the preceding city election
who received the highest number of votes without being elected to
the office, provided such candidate remains eligible and willing to
serve. The city clerk shall certify this candidate to the office of
school committee member and the candidate shall be sworn to office
immediately to serve for the balance of the unexpired term. Persons
serving as school committee members under this section shall not be
entitled to have the words "candidate for reelection" printed with
that person's name on the election ballot.