School Committee & Superintendent

The School Committee

The Dudley-Charlton Regional School Committee has seven members, and the way those seats are filled is worth knowing. In the district’s own words, six members are elected by the citizens of each town to three year terms, and the seventh is elected by the town with the largest student enrollment and serves a one year term. Charlton presently holds that seventh seat. So Charlton’s ballot carries four of the seven, and one of the four comes back around every single year.

The committee sets district policy, approves the school budget, and hires and evaluates the Superintendent who runs the schools day to day. Its meetings are public and it alternates between Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Dudley and Charlton Middle School, which means a Charlton student who shows up can speak. Much of the detailed work happens first in subcommittees on policy, budget and finance, capital outlay and safety, and teaching and learning.

The District at a Glance

• Enrollment: 3,425 students.
• Schools: seven, including Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Dudley.
• Graduation rate: 90.6%.
• State data: DESE profile (code 06580000).

Meetings & Participation

• When: Wednesday evenings at 6:30, roughly monthly, alternating between Shepherd Hill Regional High School and Charlton Middle School. Agendas and packets are posted on the district website and on the town’s own Agenda Center.
• Public comment: Public Comment is a standing item on the committee’s agenda.
• Watch: the district posts its School Committee meeting videos to its own Vimeo channel.
• Subcommittees: much of the detailed work on budget, policy, capital and curriculum happens in subcommittees, and each reports back to the full committee.