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Committee approves JROTC instructor contract amid debate over hiring authority
Summary
The committee approved a JROTC/ROC assistant instructor contract (partly funded by cadet command) but a member abstained and raised legal questions about the committee's role in hiring, citing conflicting interpretations of statutory authority.
The committee approved a contract for a JROTC/ROC assistant instructor necessary for the growing ROC program; the position is partly funded by cadet command and committee members praised the instructor's early engagement with students.
Miss Winslow said she would abstain and criticized the process, arguing the committee had held unfilmed meetings about rescinding hiring policy and that legal counsel has advised school committees may no longer have the power to offer advice and consent on hiring. She said she could not support inserting the committee into what she described as an executive hiring function.
Another member cited Title 16, chapter 2 of state law and read a provision about school committee powers and contract review, saying the committee retains the right to vet contracts. The contract vote carried despite the abstention; proponents noted the role is hard to fill and that the program benefits were clear.
