Methuen School Committee holds governance workshop on operating protocols

Methuen — The Methuen School Committee held a governance workshop Sept. 24 led by Alicia Mallon, field director for the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC), who reviewed member roles and responsibilities and recommended the committee adopt written operating protocols to guide agenda-setting, communication and conduct.

Mallon told the committee that operating protocols are “rules of the road” for the body and recommended the committee vote and publish protocols, sign them with the superintendent and review them annually. She said effective protocols typically cover agenda timelines, channels for information requests (often funneled through the chair and superintendent), standards of conduct and social-media guidance to avoid inadvertent violations of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law. “Operating protocols very often include…