Policy

The Policy Committee, a standing committee of the board of education, reviews, analyzes, refines and proposes updated policy for the entire board’s consideration.

The committee consists of three voting board members and the superintendent of schools, who serves as an adviser to the committee. The decisions of the policy committee are reported to the entire board in writing at regular or special business meetings.

Policy committee meetings are open to the public, but like a working board meeting, public comment is not taken at the committee meeting.

The committee meets once monthly, although members may adopt a more frequent meeting schedule if necessary, and typically have done so. Membership of the committee is one year in duration. The board president presents a slate of the committee members for board approval, typically in June.

Policy review follows a standard cycle, when possible:

Year 1: Sections 0000 - Bylaws; 1000 - Administration; 5000 - Students

Year 2: Sections 6000 - Finances; 7000 - Property; 8000 - Operations

Year 3: Sections 2000 - Program; 3000 - Staff; 9000 - Relations

Policies are presented for consideration at board meetings for a minimum of two and maximum of three readings. The board will provide feedback at each reading which the committee will use to further develop the policy.

The board has the right to approve policy after one reading in situations requiring expedited status or simply to approve format changes.

Board President Jason Levash

Board Member Wendy Francour

Board Treasurer Dr. Mary Gavigan

Superintendent of Schools, Matthew Joynt (Ex-Officio)

Policy is defined as principles and rules adopted by the board of education to direct the development and implementation of educational programs and/or management of the school district.

The board of education tackled the extensive process of updating district policy during the 2004-05 school year. It was primarily handled with the entire board of education editing, reviewing and participating. Since that time, the board has relied on Neola, a professional educational policy provider, to provide periodic legal and statutory updates.

In 2012-13, the board of education approved the creation of its first standing committee. The newly created policy committee would allow the board a greater opportunity to analyze, refine and propose updated policy for the entire board’s consideration in a meaningful and efficient manner. That committee has undertaken an intensive three year review of all MTSD policy.