South Kingstown School Committee |
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The School Committee is the governing body responsible for ensuring that the South Kingstown public school district provides a high quality education for all students (Bylaws Articles 3, 4, 5; Town Charter, Title 16-2-5, Title 16-2-9, Open Meetings Act). School Committee responsibilities include:
• Establishing policy to guide the superintendent in the administration of the schools
• Monitoring progress toward achieving district goals
• Engaging the community in planning for and supporting the schools
• Approving the annual budget and monitoring district finances
• Selecting and evaluating the superintendent of schools
The School Committee governs within a complex environment shaped by the current national focus on improving student achievement. Decision-making is constrained by Federal and State laws and regulations, often limited resources, and sometimes competing demands from community members and various constituencies. The School Committee actively seeks to represent the entire community and is responsive to community expectations but resists pressure from groups to promote a position inconsistent with the good of the school district as a whole. Individual school committee members debate issues, but once policy is adopted, the school committee speaks with one voice through its adopted policies. The School Committee exercises its authority as a whole and does not advance individual or constituent agendas. The
agenda for each meeting is determined by the superintendent and school committee chair. All decision-making is by majority; a quorum is required (4 members). Action is taken only when the School Committee meets in a formal session and the item is on the publicized agenda.
Public Participation at School Committee Meetings (Bylaws Article 7): During regular business meetings, members of the public are invited to address the school committee during Comments from the Community. A few helpful hints:
• Limit individual comments to 3 minutes
• Comments should be brief and focused on the issue(s)
• Groups or organizations are encouraged to appoint a spokesperson
• It may be helpful to write down some thoughts before approaching the school committee
• It is not a time to engage in a question and answer dialogue
• Individuals are welcome to submit and/or add comments in writing
Each regular business meeting shall include a public comment period of up to 30 minutes. During this time, any person may make a statement on a matter of general policy over which the school committee has jurisdiction. The school committee may extend the time beyond 30 minutes or continue it to a latter portion of the meeting. Additional public comments may be elicited by the chair prior to action on an agenda item.
Solving Staff and/or School-Based Problems (School Committee Policy 2140): A parent/guardian or a community member who wishes to express him/herself regarding a specific school, teacher, or child should begin dialogue at the level closest to the concern:
Step 1: Contact the teacher or guidance counselor as appropriate
Step 2: Contact the principal (if a school-wide concern, this becomes step 1)
Step 3: Contact appropriate central administration personnel
Step 4: Contact the superintendent or designee
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