I. Mission,
Legal Structure, and System of Governance
Formerly #8500
B. Code of Ethical School Standards & Basic
Management Principles
7. Advisory Committees
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Narragansett School Committee appointed advisory committees, both
district wide and at the school level, will function within organizational
frameworks approved by the Committee. Only the Committee will have the
authority to dissolve advisory committees it has created.
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School and district level advisory committees that are required under
federal and state programs will be formed, and will function, in accordance
with the requirements pertaining to each specific program; the Committee will
grant to those bodies the advisory responsibilities relevant to the program or
project. Advisory committees of this type are as follows, but not necessarily
limited to: Title I, Special Education, Limited English Programs and the
Professional Development Investment Fund advisory committees.
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Community groups that are neither appointed by the Committee nor formed
as required under federal or state programs are encouraged to offer suggestions
to the Committee in order to assist it in making decisions. The final
responsibility for all decisions, however, rests with the Committee.
The Committee may appoint ad hoc advisory committees
to counsel it as one means of discerning the needs and desires of the school
district and its residents. The central purpose of all advisory committees is
to contribute to the educational program by conducting studies, identifying
problems, and developing recommendations that will enhance the effectiveness of
the decision making process. The ultimate authority to make decisions will
continue to reside in the powers and duties of the Committee as imposed by law.
Such advisory committees will be formed by the
Committee at such times and for such specific purposes as the Committee deems
necessary. They will function until their assigned goal has been accomplished,
and then will be dissolved. Generally, citizens advisory committees will be
assigned to investigate areas of educational program which need development,
change, or reorganization and areas of community involvement in district
affairs.
The establishment and functioning of citizens advisory
committees will be subject to the following requirements:
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The Narragansett School Committee will create the advisory committee and
issue its assignment. This will be fully
outlined to the committee when it is appointed.
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All committees will be temporary. They
will be created to serve only during the school year of appointment or until
completion of their assignment, whichever is shorter. Continuing the committee for all or part of
the subsequent school year is at the discretion of the Committee.
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Advisory committee members will be appointed by the Narragansett School
Committee. Vacancies will be filled by the Committee upon the advice of the
advisory committee, or otherwise. Persons appointed will be residents concerned
with public education who are able to give the effort, time, and talents needed
for the advisory committee's assignment.
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The Committee may appoint the chairperson, or it may appoint an advisory
committee member to serve as chairperson until the committee selects a
chairperson from its membership. The committee will appoint a member as
secretary.
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Meetings will be announced to all advisory committee members and
Committee members and the general public through the office of the
superintendent following Rhode Island Open Meeting requirements. Members of the
Committee, and the superintendent or a designee, may attend committee meetings.
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Minutes of meetings will be promptly distributed to members, Committee
members, and the superintendent and will be available to the public at the
superintendent’s office.
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Joint meetings of the School
Committee and the advisory committee will be held at the request of the School Committee.
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To ensure smooth and orderly procedures, the chairperson of the advisory
committee will maintain liaison
with the School Committee through the superintendent's office.
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At the conclusion of its assignment, the advisory committee will submit a
written report to the School Committee. At this time a joint meeting may be
called to discuss the report and the committee's recommendations.
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Through the public records of the School Committee and other appropriate
means, the public will be informed on the organization, purpose, and membership
of citizens committees and of each committee's final recommendations.
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The School Committee may appoint one of its members to provide liaison
with each of its committees. A School Committee member serving in such capacity
shall meet or communicate with the advisory committee as he deems appropriate
or as they request.
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The superintendent shall appoint a member of his staff to serve as a
channel of communication between his office and all advisory committees. The
person serving in ' this capacity shall meet or communicate with the advisory
committee as he/she deems proper or as the advisory committee may request,
keeping informed as to activities, providing for the use of resources, and
advising in the preparation of reports. Staff liaison personnel to citizens
advisory committees shall report directly to the superintendent.
Reference: Titles 16-2-9,
16-2-11 and 16-7.1-10, and Section 1, Article X, Part 2 of the Rhode Island
Special Education Regulations.
Accepted: February 13, 2003