[Amended 11-4-2014; amended 11-6-2018]
Commencing on December 1, 2020, there shall be a School Committee consisting of five[1] members whom shall be elected at-large at the regular biennial elections in even-numbered years to serve for a term of four years and until his successor is elected and qualified. However, in the elections of 1969 only, the three candidates with the largest number of votes shall be elected for four years; the next two candidates in vote totals shall be elected for a term of two years. Thereafter, the candidates elected at subsequent elections shall be placed on the ballot in one column in alphabetical order and the candidates with the largest number of votes shall be elected. In addition, candidates elected thereafter shall be for three or two members of the School Committee, as may be required to fill the vacancies caused by the expiration of the terms.
[1]
Commencing on December 1, 2020, the two appointed members of the School Committee will be removed (one appointed by the Town Council and one appointed by the Town Administrator) and the School Committee will be decreased to five members elected at-large and continue to serve four year staggered terms as provided in this section of the Charter.
School Committee members shall be qualified electors of the Town and shall hold no other paid office or employment in the service of said Town, except that of notary public, justice of the peace, Town constable, call firemen or auxiliary policemen. If a Committee member shall cease to possess any of these qualifications or shall be convicted of crime involving moral turpitude, his office shall immediately become vacant.
[Amended 11-2-2010]
The compensation for members of the School Committee shall be recommended annually by the School Committee.
Any vacancy in the membership of the School Committee shall be filled by the Town Council until the next regular Town election, when the office shall be filled for the unexpired term thereof.
[Amended 11-4-1975; amended 11-2-2010]
(1) 
Organization: The School Committee shall elect a Chairman, at its first organization meeting. Said Committee shall determine its rules and order of business and the time of its meetings.
(2) 
Policy: The School Committee shall determine and control all policies affecting the administration, maintenance and operation of the public schools and shall have all the powers and be subject to all duties as prescribed by the laws of the state. It shall prepare a complete report of its finances and activities at the close of the fiscal year. Such reports shall be included as a separate section in the annual Town report.
(3) 
Appointments and removals: The School Committee shall appoint a Superintendent of Schools as its administrative agent. The appointment and removal of all school employees shall be made by the School Committee upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, except as may otherwise be provided by law. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the School Committee and its members shall deal with the administration of the public schools solely through the Superintendent of Schools and neither the School Committee nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinates of the Superintendent of Schools, either publicly or privately.
(4) 
Budget: The School Committee shall submit budget estimates in the same manner as other departments.
(5) 
Reports of anticipated expenditures: The School Committee shall submit to the Town financial office, monthly reports of anticipated expenditures.
(6) 
Buildings and grounds: The Department of Public Works, at the request of the School Committee and with the approval of the Town Administrator may maintain and care for school buildings and grounds, provided, that the costs are charged against the appropriations for the public schools.