File: BGD - SCHOOL COMMITTEE REVIEW OF REGULATIONS

It is expected that the Superintendent and administrative staff will need to issue regulations implementing policies of the School Committee. Many of these will be routine from year to year; others will arise in special circumstances; some will be drawn up under specific directions from the Committee.

The School Committee may review the regulations developed by the Superintendent for the school system prior to their issuance, but it will revise or veto such regulations only when, in the Committee's judgment, they are inconsistent with policies adopted by the Committee.

The Committee will not officially approve regulations except as required by State law or in cases when strong community attitudes or possible student or staff reaction make it necessary or advisable for a regulation to have the Committee's advance approval.

All rules and regulations shall be considered in the same light as State laws, and shall be administered by the Superintendent of Schools as the "executive officer" of the Committee.

Under Massachusetts' law, the Superintendent of School is required to publish "rules and regulations pertaining to the conduct of teachers or students which have been adopted." (These rules do not become effective until filed with the Commissioner of Education.) Standards of conduct will be included in staff and student handbooks. These handbooks will be reviewed and approved annually by the School Committee.

SOURCE:  Billerica

LEGAL REF.:  M.G.L. 71:37H

NOTE:  It is important to point out that a School Committee is required to approve many regulations -- either by law (one example is cited above) or the dictates of good judgment.