Regional School District 13

The Board of Education understands that not all of its work can be accomplished at regularly scheduled meetings of the entire Board and that in order to dedicate the necessary time, expertise and focus on specific issues, it is necessary to utilize subcommittees of the Board. 

The Board of Education has five standing subcommittees and one standing joint committee.  These subcommittees are: Student Achievement, Educational Resources, Policy, Human Resources and Utilization.  Each subcommittee is comprised of at least three members of the Board of Education. The joint committee is the Finance 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.

Student Achievement Committee: The focus of the Student Achievement Committee is to review and monitor appropriate metrics to evaluate student achievement and to pursue continuous improvement in overall district academic performance.  In addition, the committee shall ensure that adequate time and resources are allocated for the purpose of staff professional development.  The responsibilities of this committee include:

1. Working with the administration on development, implementation and maintenance of appropriate metrics for all areas of district, school and student performance.
2. Working with the administration on the development, implementation and maintenance of a program for a curricular review.
3. Participating in the review, evaluation and development of the district's curriculum.
4. Ensuring that adequate resources are budgeted and appropriate training is provided for staff professional development, particularly with regard to Common Core State Standards and SEED.
5. Working with the superintendent of schools to schedule professional development time for staff as appropriate.
   

Educational Resources Committee: The focus of the Educational Resources Committee is to obtain and manage the resources that are needed to increase the district's capacity to lead, teach and learn.  The responsibilities of this committee include:

1. Monitoring of metrics to ensure that district resources are utilized effectively, efficiently and equitably to improve student achievement.
2. Working with the superintendent of schools and the business manager regarding the development of the district's annual budget.
3. Reviewing annual capital expenditures and the utilization of the district capital reserve including balances encumbered for future capital projects.
4. Monitoring community demographic information and facility usage to ensure a safe and optimal learning environment.
5. Monitoring district pension assets, accrued liabilities and funding ratios.
6. Working with administration to develop contract language standards and payment/compensation ranges for new or existing contracts, other than union contracts, in accordance with board policy #3324.
   

Policy Committee: The focus of the Policy Committee is to ensure that all Board of Education policies and by-laws are current, relevant and readily available to all members of the Board and Community.  The responsibilities of the Policy Committee include:

1. Working with the superintendent of schools to develop changes to Board policies as necessitated changes in state and federal regulation, as mandated by the State Board of Education or as necessitated by changes within the district.
2. Working with the superintendent of schools to ensure that all by-laws are current, relevant and consistent with existing Board structure and operations.
3. Ensuring that all policy and by-law changes proposed by the Policy Committee are reviewed and then voted upon by the full Board of Education on a timely basis at a duly posted meeting of the Board of Education.
4. Ensuring that an accurate and timely electronic Policy Manual, including all by-laws, is posted on the RSD13 website and available to all members of the public.
5. Developing and maintaining a Board Member Handbook as well as conducting new member orientation meetings as appropriate.

1. Working with the superintendent of schools and key administrators to maintain an effective organization structure that is responsive to the current needs of the district and consistent with budgeted funding levels.
2. Working with the superintendent of schools to ensure that staff compensation levels are appropriate across different levels within the district, fall within the approved operating budget, and are competitive with local school districts including, but not limited to school districts in the same DRG (District Reference Group).
3. Working with the superintendent to ensure the development and execution of procedures for annual staff reviews and ensuring the development of appropriate procedures to address any noted development opportunities or deficiencies.
4. Working with the superintendent of schools and business manager to review major health insurance plan changes as may become necessary from time to time and make appropriate recommendations to the full Board of Education at a duly posted meeting of the Board of Education.