§ 16-2-11. General powers and duties of superintendent.
(a) The superintendent of schools employed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter
shall, under the direction of the school committee, have the care and supervision
of the public schools and shall be the chief administrative agent of the school committee.
The superintendent shall have any duties as are defined in this section and in this
title and any other duties as may be determined by the school committee, and shall
perform any other duties as may be vested in him or her by law. In addition to the
care and supervision of public schools and the appointment of employees of the district,
it shall be the duty of the superintendent:
(1) To implement policies established by the school committee.
(2) To recommend educational plans, policies, and programs to meet the needs of the district.
(3) To recommend policies governing curriculum, courses of instruction, textbooks, and
transportation of students.
(4) To comply with provisions of federal and state law and local charter provisions and
ordinances.
(5) To have administrative responsibility for the school system.
(6) To appoint principals for each public school within the district at levels of compensation
determined in accordance with policies established by the school committee.
(7) To appoint administrators and other personnel not assigned to individual schools.
Also, to appoint, at the recommendation of the principal, personnel at individual
schools in accordance with policies established by school district policies and collective
bargaining agreements.
(8) To oversee the personnel function of the school department consistent with personnel
standards, policies, and the table of organization established by the school committee.
(9) To provide for the evaluation of department personnel appointed by the superintendent.
(10) To prepare a school budget for consideration by the school committee.
(11) To authorize purchases consistent with the adopted school budget, policies and directives
of the school committee, and applicable municipal policies, ordinances, and charter
provisions.
(12) To be responsible for keeping the records of the school system.
(13) To report to the school committee on a regular basis the financial condition of the
school system.
(14) To oversee discipline in the school system.
(15) To evaluate all schools within the school system and to report to the school committee
the conformity with regulations of the council on elementary and secondary education
and the policies, programs, and directives of the school committee.
(16) To report to the school committee on the operation of the school system, including
an annual report on the district's progress.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to limit or interfere with the rights of teachers
and other school employees to collectively bargain pursuant to chapters 9.3 and 9.4
of title 28, or to allow any school superintendent to abrogate any agreement reached
by collective bargaining.
(c) If at any time during the fiscal year the superintendent of schools determines, or
is notified by the city or town chief charter officer or treasurer, that the estimated
school expenses may exceed all revenue appropriated by the state or city or town or
otherwise for public schools in the city or town, the superintendent of schools shall
recommend to the school committee and shall, in order to provide for continuous regular
public school operations consistent with the requirements of § 16-2-2 without regard to financial conditions, subsequently report to the city or town treasurer
and chief charter officer what action will be taken to prevent an excess of expenditures,
encumbrances, and accruals over revenues for public schools in the city or town.