Policies

Board of School Committee Governance and Operations contains policies on the Board of School Committee - how it is elected, how it is organized, how it conducts meetings, and how it operates. This section includes bylaws and policies establishing the Board’s internal operating procedures.

The Board of School Committee will develop written policies to serve as guidelines and goals for the successful and efficient functioning of the Manchester public schools.

The Board considers policy development its chief function, along with providing resources such as personnel, buildings, materials, and equipment for the successful interpretation and evaluation of its policies and the effective operation of schools.

Policies are principles adopted by the Board of School Committee to chart a course of action. Policies are guides for action by the administration, who then set rules, regulations, and procedures to provide specific directions to School District personnel.

It is the Board's intention that its policies serve as sources of information and guidance for all people who are interested in, or connected with, the public schools.

The policies of the Board are based on and are meant to be interpreted in the context of New Hampshire laws, administrative rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, and all other applicable agencies.

Changes in needs, conditions, purposes, and objectives will require revisions, deletions, and additions to the policies of present and future Boards. The Board will welcome suggestions for ongoing policy development from citizens, students, and staff in the School District.

Action on such proposals, whatever their source, is taken finally by the Board after receiving the recommendation of the Superintendent. The Superintendent bases his/her recommendations upon the outcomes of study and upon the judgment of the professional staff and appropriate study committees. The Superintendent shall seek counsel of the School Attorney when there may be a question of legality or proper legal procedure in the development of a proposed School Board policy.

NHSBA Code BGB
First Reading: 10/13/99
Second Reading/Adoption: 10/18/99

Except for policy actions to be taken on emergency measures or actions in the absence of policy, the adoption of Board policies should follow this sequence.

1. Announcement posting and publication of proposed new or revised policies as an agenda item of the Coordination subcommittee of the Board of School Committee.

2. Opportunity offered to concerned groups or individuals to react to policy proposals.

3. First readings of proposed policy will occur at the BOSC subcommittee on Coordination. Second reading of proposed policy will occur at the full Board of School Committee meeting which will follow the BOSC Committee on Coordination by at least two weeks.

4. Second readings of proposed policy will serve as adoption.

Prior to enactment, all policy proposals shall be titled and coded as appropriate to subject and in conformance with the codification system used in the Board policy manual.

1. Insofar as possible, each policy statement shall be limited to one subject.

2. Policies and amendments adopted by the Board shall be attached to and made a part of the minutes of the meeting at which they are adopted and shall also be included in the policy manual of the District marked with the date of each reading, adoption, and/or amendment.

3. Policies and amendments to policies shall be effective immediately upon adoption unless a specific effective date is provided in the adopted resolution.

Emergency Procedure

On matters of unusual urgency, the Board may waive the two-week limitation and take immediate action to adopt new or revise existing policies. When such immediate action is necessary, the Superintendent shall inform concerned groups or individuals about the reasons for this necessity.