Committees
School Board Standing Committee Guidelines
The Regional School District 13 School Board has established the following standing committees:
- Policy
- Student Achievement
- School District Climate
- Safety
- Finance (Joint Committee)
- Building
In addition, at each reorganization the Board Chair will assign a liaison to ACES, our Regional Education Support Center.
The table below outlines the purpose, configuration, and anticipated meeting schedule for each standing committee. These have been carefully reviewed to ensure that all committees have the time and representatives they need to complete their work on behalf of RSD 13 students. All committees are advisory, unless the Board has specifically granted them voting authority.
Standing Committees of the Board will be noticed, livestreamed, and recorded as regular Board meetings. As with regular Board meetings, should technology or internet access cause changes in livestreaming and/or remote attendance, the meeting will continue as planned as long as a quorum of members is present in person. Note: As an exception, there will be no livestreaming or recording of School Safety meetings, as this information is confidential.
For all committees:
- The Board Chair and Superintendent are ex-officio members of all committees.
- The Chair of the Committee and the Designated Administrator will co-create the agendas and submit to the Board of Education Executive Assistant no less than 72 hours prior to the meeting date.
- The Chair of the Committee will be responsible for ensuring that the meeting is recorded, minutes are taken and posted, and that a summary is written for the next regular Board meeting.
- All Board committee activity shall comply with RSD 13 Policy 9130.
| Committee | Purpose | Constituents | Meeting Frequency | Voting |
| Policy | The Policy Committee will review, develop, and recommend district policies that support effective governance, reflect legal requirements, and advance the mission and vision of serving students. |
|
Monthly throughout the school year. | The Policy Committee will recommend policies to the full Board, who will then complete a first reading followed by a vote on final adoption. |
| Student Achievement | The Student Achievement Committee will work to ensure that all students have the access and opportunities needed for success through the review of student performance data, progress monitoring of district goals, and the review curriculum and course offerings. |
|
Four (4) times per year
|
The Student Achievement Committee will recommend courses and curriculums to the full Board, who will then vote to approve.
|
| School District Climate | The School District Climate Committee will work towards creating and maintaining a safe, healthy, inclusive, and positive learning environment through the regular analysis of school climate data, the review of relevant policies and practices, and ensuring alignment with best practices in school climate and CT law. |
|
Four (4) times per year
|
The School District Climate Committee will submit data summaries and other information, including recommendations, through their meeting reports to the full Board. |
| Safety | The School Safety Committee will ensure a safe and secure learning environment by reviewing safety protocols, monitoring potential risks, and completing an annual review of the district’s emergency management plans. |
|
One (1) time per year (additional meetings if necessary)
July
|
The Safety Committee will bring recommendations to the Board when necessary; reports will not be submitted from this committee due to the confidential nature of this work. |
| Finance |
The School Finance Committee will review budgets and proposals, monitor financial performance, and recommend fiscal strategies that ensure responsible stewardship of district resources in support of student learning.
This is a joint committee, established pursuant to Section 156 of Special Act 17-2 of the state legislature, with two members each from Durham and Middlefield and up to four appointed by the Board of Education. |
|
As needed throughout the regular annual budget cycle. | The Finance Committee will submit information to the full Board through the regular budget process. |
| Building | The Building Committee will oversee facility projects, review maintenance and capital improvement needs, and recommend plans that ensure safe and efficient learning environments. |
|
Monthly, and more often if needed during any active construction project. | The Building Committee, during construction, will provide monthly reports to the full Board through the architects, owner’s project manager, and/or contractors. This committee may be granted voting authority by the Board during the period of any construction project in order to ensure efficiency. |
