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Methuen school committee begins multi‑month overhaul of policy manual, votes to approve sections in form
Summary
The Methuen School Committee on Sept. 16 began a multi‑month process to replace and update its policy manual using templates from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, approving two packets of policies "in form" while excluding several complex items for later review.
The Methuen School Committee on Sept. 16 opened a multi‑month effort to replace its decades‑old policy manual, approving two packets of policies “in form” while setting aside several items for more review. Member Shabiliya, chair of the policy subcommittee, said the subcommittee has been working with Alicia Mallon, MASC field director, for months and plans to bring sections to the full committee in stages.
The subcommittee recommended voting sections “in form” — a procedural step, Shabiliya said, that allows the committee to approve the text of individual sections now while specifying that the entire manual will not take effect until all sections are complete and the committee selects an effective date. “The way she recommended is that we bring sections at a time to the whole committee, when the subcommittee feels we have the clean copy and we're ready to go, for voting and discussion,” Shabiliya said.
Members debated how to handle items that require additional work. Member Keegan moved to approve Section A in form but amend the motion to exclude three identified policies (listed in the meeting packet) for further study; the motion passed unanimously. Later the committee similarly approved Section B in form after voting to exclude a set of more complex governance and committee items for later review.
Committee members said the approach follows MASC guidance and the subcommittee’s work: prepare redlined drafts, discuss detailed and district‑specific edits in subcommittee meetings, then present clean copies for committee votes. Shabiliya said the goal is to finish all sections and present a complete replacement manual by December.
The committee recorded several procedural clarifications for later action: a staff/legal check on Title IX and related nondiscrimination language; confirmation of exact references for background‑check procedures (state and federal systems); and alignment of the district handbook to new policy language. Several policies were pulled from tonight’s approval to allow additional drafting or legal review.
No substantive operational policy was made effective at the meeting; the votes taken were first‑read/in‑form approvals of sections of the draft manual and included unanimous voice votes to accept the amended packets presented.
The committee scheduled continued subcommittee meetings and follow‑up with MASC and district legal counsel before the next reading and final adoption vote.
