FHS SCHOOL COUNCIL
AGENDA
Monday, October 20, 2025 ~ 3:30 pm ~ FHS Library
1. Welcome
a. Introductions
b. Approval of Agenda
c. Review of Note Taking & Minutes Procedure
2. Procedural Issues
a. Purpose of School Council
i. School Council Statute - M.G.L. c. 71, § 59C - By law, the School Council
is an advisory body that works together to provide ideas and opinions to
help the principal review (i) the educational needs of students, (ii) the
annual budget, (iii) the school improvement plan/school-district goals, and
(iv) the student handbook.
ii. School Councils Questions and Answers - Education Laws and
Regulations
iii. The School Council may also review the student handbook and provide
feedback regarding same, and may also raise issues of concern that may
arise throughout the school year.
b. Selection of Co-Chair
i. M.G.L. c. 71, § 59C provides that the principal is a co-chair and the other
co-chair is to be selected by School Council members at the first meeting
which must be held within 40 days of the first day of school. School
Councils can set their own internal rules of operation, including rotating
responsibilities for the co-chairs.
c. MA Conflict of Interest Law
i. The Massachusetts conflict of interest law requires all public employees,
which includes municipal employees (School Councils are considered
municipal agencies and their members, although they serve without
compensation are considered municipal employees for purposes of the
conflict of interest law), (i) to complete the online comprehensive training
once every two years, and (ii) to acknowledge receipt of the summary of
the law every year. If there are any school council members who
completed the comprehensive online training last year, you only need to
acknowledge receipt of the summary of the law this year. For any school
council members who did not complete the comprehensive online training
last year, you will need to complete the comprehensive online training this
year and acknowledge receipt of the summary of the law, as well.
1. Complete the Conflict of Interest Law Education Requirements |
Mass.gov - click on the box that says "sign in or create an
account...." - that will take you to the training. If you were a
school council member last year, you should already have an
account. If you are new, you will need to create an account.
2. If any school council members need help accessing or creating an
account, you can send an email to
[email protected].
School council members can also review this Help section on the
State Ethics Commission website: Conflict of Interest Law
Training - Help.
3. Discussion Items
a. NEASC update and report from Tom McManamon
4. Election of Co-Chair
5. Future Agenda Items
6. FHS Calendar
7. School Council Meeting Dates
a. Wednesday, January 7, 2026 @ 5:00 pm at Lawrence School, Room 218
preceding the Superintendent’s 6:00 pm Joint Budget Presentation
b. Monday, March 2, 2026 @ 3:30 pm at FHS Library
c. Monday, May 4, 2026 @ 3:30 pm at FHS Library
8. Adjournment