Board and Public Advisory Committees

CODE: BDF

Maine School Administrative District No. 31

BOARD AND PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEES

The Board may establish advisory committees to perform specific functions. Advisory

committees may study particular problems or issues and make reports and/or recommendations

to the Board, but may not act or vote for the Board.

Advisory committees may include individuals who are not elected members of the Board but

each advisory committee shall have at least two Board representatives.

The Board will consult with the Superintendent before establishing or dissolving any advisory

committee. The number of members, the composition of each advisory committee, and the

selection of members will be determined by the Board, in consultation with the Superintendent

based upon the purpose of the committee.

The number of members and the constituencies that should be represented on an advisory

committee are issues separate from the appointment of particular individuals as members. The

board has the authority to establish a committee and then shall invite individuals and ratify the

membership by vote. The Board will encourage representation of diverse populations/towns

and/or interests. District Personnel may serve on an advisory committee in an informative

capacity (non-voting) and may not hold the office of Chair.

The scope and authority of any advisory committee shall be limited to that assigned to it by the

Board. The Board is in no way obligated to follow advisory committee recommendations.

Unless given a new assignment by the Board, an advisory committee shall be dissolved

promptly upon completion of its task or after the Board has received the committee’s final

report or recommendations. Although the superintendent may serve in an ex officio capacity,

only standing committee Board members and/or Chairperson will present to the Board its

recommendations, unless otherwise voted upon.

An advisory committee may be dissolved at any time by Board action. No advisory committee

shall continue for a prolonged period without a specific assignment.

Notice of the date, time, and place of an advisory committee meeting and the agenda for the

meeting shall be provided at least three days in advance by the Chair and in a manner consistent

with the Board’s policy and practices, to the Superintendent’s office. All advisory committee

meetings are open to the public except as may otherwise be provided by law. Committee reports

and minutes of advisory committee meetings shall be kept and are public information subject to

the Freedom of Access Law

Instructions to Board Advisory Committees:

So that the Board’s intent and expectations are clear, each advisory committee shall be instructed

  • The purpose of the committee, the specific issue(s) for study, and/or the scope of the committee’s activity; with an elected Chair, Vice and Secretary;

  • The composition of the committee, including designation of voting and non- voting members;

  • The length of time each member is expected to serve;

  • The role of the committee as being advisory only;

  • The resources the Board will provide to assist the committee in completing its

  • The expectations regarding the committee’s relationship with the Board, the Superintendent, and District personnel;

  • The designation of the individual who will be responsible for providing information to the public concerning the committee and its work;

  • The time and place of the first meeting;

  • The timeline for progress reports to the Board and/or other activities;

  • The date on which the Board expects to receive a final report or recommendations and dissolve the committee;

The Board recognizes that any advisory committee mandated by state law or Department of

Education regulations may require deviation from any or all of the provisions of this policy. Any

such deviations shall be identified when the Board establishes such a committee and reflected in

the Board’s instructions to the committee.

Legal Reference: 1 M.R.S.A. § 401 et seq.

First Reading: 08/05/2004

08/18/2004