Board Standing Committees

BDE Maine School Administrative District No. 31

BOARD STANDING COMMITTEES

The Board believes that standing committees can be useful to its decision-making process and

in the transaction of Board business. The Board may establish such standing committees as it

deems necessary to facilitate the District governance and address ongoing District needs. A

standing committee has only such authority as specified by the Board. All standing committees

shall be comprised of less than a majority of the Board. All standing committee meetings are

open to the public except as provided by the Freedom of Access Law and the Municipal Public

Employees Labor Relations Law.

Establishment and Functions of Standing Committees

The following provisions apply to the establishment and functions of standing committees:

All standing committees shall be established by vote of the Board. A motion to

establish a standing committee shall state the purpose and responsibilities of the

committee (the “charge”) and set the number of members comprising the

committee.

The Board Chair will appoint members to a standing committee from among the

membership of the Board. For existing standing committees, appointments will

be made at or as soon as practicable after the School Board’s annual

organizational meeting.

The Board Chair shall also make appointments to standing committee vacancies

on standing committees that occur prior to the Board’s next organizational

meeting. Boards may also use more informal means of assigning board members

to standing committees, such as soliciting volunteers or arriving at a consensus

through board discussion.

The term of appointment to a standing committee shall be until the next

organizational meeting. In the absence or vacancy of a member, the Board Chair

will reappoint.

Each standing committee will elect its own Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. A

Board member may serve as Chair of only one standing committee at a time.

The Board Chair and Superintendent shall be ex officio (non-voting) members of

all standing committees.

Any Board member may attend standing committee meetings, but only appointed

members of the committee may vote.

Except as authorized by law or Board action, a standing committee may research

issues and make recommendations for Board action, but may not act for the

Board.

A standing committee may be abolished at any time by a vote of the Board.

The number of members on a standing committee and/or the responsibilities of a

standing committee may be modified at any time by a vote of the Board.

Authorization/Appointment of Standing Committees

The Board shall have the following standing committees:

  • Policy/Bylaws

  • Finance

  • Curriculum

  • Negotiations/Personnel

  • Facilities/Long Range Planning

(Budget shall be the work of the entire Board)

Board may establish other standing committees it deems necessary in accordance with this

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

First Reading: 08/05/2004

08/18/2004