Duxbury School Committee approves procedure to seek interim member, targets Aug. 17 joint meeting

Duxbury — The Duxbury School Committee on July 2 agreed to recommend a one-off application process to fill an interim school committee vacancy and voted 4–0 to send a notice-of-vacancy preference letter to the Select Board asking that a joint meeting be scheduled around Aug. 17, with the public announcement to be made by Aug. 10.

The decision, taken at a short meeting convened July 2, directs interested residents to submit a letter of interest and a brief resume to the town clerk for neutral vetting and packet assembly. The committee said the interim member would serve until the next town election in March; that term length would be the unexpired term until the election.

Committee members considered three options — adopting a permanent district policy for future vacancies, creating a one-time process for this vacancy and asking the Select Board to adopt a statement of preference, or deferring entirely to the Select Board. "My own preference would be the second one," the Chair said, arguing a short, practical process would allow the new member to begin serving this summer while reserving a formal policy discussion for the policy-subcommittee later.

The committee cited statutory requirements for filling the seat. As discussed in the meeting, Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 41, Section 11 requires a joint meeting of the Select Board and remaining school committee members to elect an interim member and at least one week's public notice before that meeting.

To manage applications, the committee recommended that the town clerk, Susan Kelly, receive letters of interest and brief resumes so the clerk's office can confirm residency and eligibility and distribute a packet to both boards and the public no later than Aug. 10. The committee said that model follows a municipal example the clerk found (Amherst), in which candidates submit materials in advance, make a two-minute opening statement at the joint meeting, answer questions in rotation, and close with a one-minute statement before a roll-call vote.

Committee members discussed outreach methods — the town website, clerk notices, and local media were mentioned — and agreed to make guidance available to prospective candidates so they know what to expect at the joint meeting. The committee emphasized transparency: "I would hate to see the names and... build up any biases," the Chair said, urging simultaneous public release of candidate packets.

At the July 2 meeting the body also handled internal organization: a nomination for Laurel to serve as vice chair was put forward and approved by a 4–0 roll-call vote. The committee later voted, also 4–0, to send the notice-of-vacancy letter to the Select Board recommending the Aug. 17 joint meeting date and clerk-managed intake.

Next steps: the Chair said they will send the committee's letter to the Select Board and — if possible — comment at the Select Board's next meeting to press for scheduling the joint meeting around Aug. 17. The notice of vacancy and application packet are to be released to the public and committee members no later than Aug. 10.