HCPSSPolicy 2050 – Advisory Committees to Staff and Schools
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the establishment of advisory committees to the Superintendent and Department of Education and to schools.
Policy Document
I. Policy Statement
The Board of Education of Howard County believes that public schools are strengthened when communities are actively engaged in the education process. In support of this belief, the Board is committed to providing multiple opportunities for responsible community participation in the operation of the school system. Advisory committees provide one means to achieve this objective and allow interested community members to become more deeply involved in the educational process.
The Board encourages the Superintendent of Schools, the offices and programs of the Department of Education, and individual schools to establish advisory committees to provide for community involvement and to inform decision making. Depending on their specific charge, advisory committees may serve as active sounding boards, may study issues related to educational needs and services to make recommendations, may provide a forum for public discussion of educational concerns, may encourage community participation in the school system, and may inform the community of school activities.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the establishment of advisory committees to the Superintendent and Department of Education and to schools.
III. Definitions
Advisory Committee – A committee convened in accordance with the public school laws of Maryland with the goal of providing broad input into the policies and operation of the school system or schools. Membership in advisory committees may include parents, teachers, students, and other community members.
IV. Standards
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Advisory committees may be appointed by the Superintendent, leadership within the Department of Education, and/or the principals of schools in accordance with this policy as deemed necessary or appropriate.
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Advisory groups established under this policy must have a specific charge which establishes their advisory role, pre-determined rules for operation, a projected timeline for completion of work, a contact person with overall responsibility, provisions for establishing membership, and a designation as to whom reports are submitted.
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Public notice shall be given when advisory committees are established.
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Each advisory committee shall establish its own procedures for receiving and responding to public input during its deliberations.
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Except as specifically authorized by the Board, advisory committees shall not obligate the Board for the payment of any funds.
V. Compliance
The Superintendent/designee shall ensure that opportunities for community participation and employee involvement are provided through membership, as appropriate, on advisory committees to the various offices and programs of the Department of Education and to the schools.
VI. Delegation of Authority
The Superintendent is authorized to establish appropriate procedures for the implementation of this policy.
VII. References
A. Legal
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The Annotated Code of Maryland, Education Article, Section 4-112
B. Other Board Policies
- Policy 2020 Policy Development and Adoption
- Policy 2060 Advisory Committees to the Board of Education
- Policy 5100 Health Services
- Policy 5200 Student Transportation
- Policy 6010 School Attendance Areas
- Policy 6020 School Planning/School Construction Programs
- Policy 6050 Naming and Renaming of Schools
- Policy 8040 Selection of Instructional Resources
- Policy 10000 Student, Parent, Family and Community Engagement
VIII. History
ADOPTED: November 10, 1975
REVIEWED: July 1, 2014
MODIFIED:
REVISED: February 27, 1992, February 8, 2007
EFFECTIVE: July 1, 2007
Policy History Key
- Adopted-Original date the Board took action to approve a policy
- Reviewed-The date the status of a policy was assessed by the Superintendent’s Standing Policy Group
- Modified-The date the Board took action to alter a policy that based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/designee did not require a comprehensive examination
- Revised-The date the Board took action on a that policy based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/designee needed a comprehensive examination
- Effective-The date a policy is implemented throughout the HCPSS, typically July 1 following Board action.