School Committee

 

Our school committee is a model of continuous learning. Comprised of community members who volunteer their time serving the students, parents, and community members of our district, our school committee members serve as advocates for our students and public education. 

MEETINGS
The Committee conducts its business in regular public meetings under the rules of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law. Generally, these meetings occur on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays during the school year, and once or twice over the summer. School Committee meetings start at 6:30 p.m. in room 228-M at Turners Falls High School, unless otherwise noted. The agendas and minutes for recent meetings can be viewed on this website.

PUBLIC PARTICPATION

To accommodate more viewers of our GMRSD School Committee meetings, we created a LIVE STREAM link via our Montague Community Television, especially viewers unable to access the REMOTE meeting through their televisions.

Public Participation in REMOTE School Committee Meeting:
As Secretary for the School Committee, Jennifer Lively will coordinate two types of communications by emailing her at jennifer.lively@gmrsd.org . Please indicate to Ms. Lively which of the following types of communication you wish to send to School Committee:

  • Public Comment at School Committee meeting on <please state the date> - I would like to be sent a link to make a brief public comment during the School Committee meeting.
  • Sharing Comments with School Committee ONLY– I am sending my comments to School Committee only and do not want my comments to be shared publicly. This may be sent to Ms. Lively by email jennifer.lively@gmrsd.org or mailed to or dropped off at the district offices at Jennifer Lively, 35 Crocker Avenue, Turners Falls , MA 01376.

 

Minutes, Agendas, and Reports  
The minutes and agendas of School Committee meetings will be posted as quickly as possible. Meeting agendas are available at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date. The minutes of a meeting are usually approved at the following meeting, and are posted within a few days. An online archive of agendas and minutes is available. 

Community Input 
The Committee strives to make informed decisions that are in the interests of student learning. The members welcome input from the public. Brief public comments can be made during a designated time at the beginning of each school committee meeting. In addition, informal forums are held during the year to provide time for a more casual dialog with members. Members can also be reached via e-mail or telephone. 

Roles and Responsibilities
As representatives whose primary responsibility it is to support the needs and interests of the children of the Gill-Montague School District, we set short and long-term goals focused on policy and student achievement. Utilizing data and continuous self-evaluation, we monitor our progress of these goals and revisit areas of concern to adjust our strategy to ensure improvement.

Powers and Duties  
Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Title X. Chapter 71: Section 37: The school committee in each city and town and each regional school district shall have the power to select and to terminate the superintendent, shall review and approve budgets for public education in the district, and shall establish educational goals and policies for the schools in the district consistent with the requirements of law and statewide goals and standards established by the board of education.

Additional Information