FHS SCHOOL COUNCIL
AGENDA
Monday, October 21, 2024 ~ 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. Upcoming Dates/Events
● Early Release 10/21
● Guidance Night for Grades 9/10 Parents/Guardians 10/24
● Junior Work Day 11/2
● Fresh Market 11/7
● Community Forum at FHS 11/7 6:00pm
● Math Honor Society Induction 11/7 7:30pm
● Q1 Grades Close 11/8
● No School 11/11
● Winter Sports Meeting 11/14 5:30pm
● College Financial Aid Night 11/14 6:30pm
● Cabaret Night at The Navigator 11/15
● Q1 Report Cards 11/22
● Fall Play 11/22 - 11/24
● Senior Southeast District Auditions 11/23
● Powder Puff Flag Football / Tailgate 11/25
● No School 11/27 - 11/29
● Thanksgiving Game at Barnstable 11/28
● Winter Sports Begin 12/2
● Fall Sports Awards 12/5
● Holiday Stroll 12/7
● Christmas Parade 12/8
● Early Release 12/10
● FHS Special Programs Showcase for Grade 8 students 12/10 @ 6:30 pm
● Winter Instrumental Music Concert 12/19
● No School 12/23 thru 1/1
5. School Council Meeting Dates
a. TBD - tentatively in January 2025 @ 5:00 pm preceding 6:00 pm Joint Budget
Presentation by Superintendent
b. Monday, March 3, 2025 @ 3:30 pm at FHS Library
c. Monday, May 5, 2025 @ 3:30 pm at FHS Library
6. Adjournment