Chapter 71 - Public Schools

Section 1 - Maintenance; Double Sessions; Subjects; Twelve-Month School Year
Section 1a - Period of Silence
Section 1b - Voluntary Prayer
Section 1c - Workshops on Rights of Students and Their Parents Under Special Education Laws of the Commonwealth and the Federal Government
Section 2 - Teaching of History and Social Science; Professional Development; Student-Led Civic Projects; Commonwealth Civics Challenge
Section 2a - Use of Tobacco Products Within School Buildings or Facilities or on School Grounds
Section 2b - Courses in American Sign Language
Section 2c - Implementation of Policy and Discipline Code Addressing Teen Dating Violence in Public Schools
Section 3 - Physical Education
Section 4 - High Schools; Maintenance; Diplomas Awarded to Veterans
Section 4a - Failure to Keep Schools Open for Required Period; Penalty
Section 6 - Education in Out-of-Town High Schools
Section 6a - Admission of Students From Outside Commonwealth
Section 7a - Transportation of Pupils; Payment of Costs; Limitations
Section 7b - Transportation of Pupils; Reimbursement of Costs; Determination of Amount; Use of Funds
Section 7c - Bus Transportation Programs; Financial Assistance
Section 10 - Expenses of Physically Disabled Children
Section 11 - High School; Definition
Section 13 - Requested Courses; School Committee Approval
Section 13d - High Schools; Required Subjects; Driver Training
Section 13f - Broadcast and Television Facilities; Cost of Program; Executive Committee for Educational Television
Section 13g - Executive Committee for Educational Television; Rules and Regulations; Personnel
Section 13h - Educational Television Program Fund; Accounts and Reports
Section 13i - Executive Committee for Educational Television; Powers and Duties
Section 14 - Regional School District Planning Committee; Creation; Membership
Section 14a - Duties of Planning Board
Section 14b - Regional School Districts; Formation; Procedure
Section 14c - Lease or Sale of Property to Regional School Districts
Section 14d - Regional School District Planning Board; Agreement; Approval of Indebtedness
Section 14e - Regional School District Committee Membership Options
Section 15 - Acceptance of Organization Provisions by Electorate
Section 16 - Regional School Districts; Status; Powers and Duties
Section 16a - Regional District School Committee; Selection, Powers and Duties of Officers; Signing of Payroll and Accounts Payable Warrants; Audits
Section 16b - Budgets; Apportionment of Expenses
Section 16b1/2 - Excess and Deficiency Fund; Surplus Funds Used to Reduce Assessments
Section 16c - Regional School Districts; School Transportation
Section 16d - Aid From State
Section 16d1/2 - Monies Received as Nonresident Tuition or Reimbursements From Commonwealth for Foster Care Children
Section 16e - Regional School Districts; Audits; Payment of Costs
Section 16f - Retirement System
Section 16g - Liability of Towns for Expenses of District
Section 16g1/2 - Stabilization Fund
Section 16i - Severability of Sections Relating to Regional School Districts
Section 17a - Culinary Arts Program; Special Fund
Section 18 - Evening Schools
Section 19 - Evening Classes in High Schools
Section 20 - Notice of Evening Schools; Publication; Fees for Instruction
Section 20a - Instructional Materials Trust Fund
Section 21 - Continuation Schools; Establishment; Conditions
Section 22 - Attendance
Section 23 - Use of Existing Educational Facilities
Section 24 - Cost of Maintenance; Source of Funds
Section 25 - Unemployed Minors; Attendance Requirements
Section 26 - Penalty for Failure to Establish or Maintain School
Section 26a - Extended School Services for Children; Establishment; Conditions
Section 26b - Extended School Services for Children; Organization and Operation of Plan
Section 26c - Extended School Services for Children; Contributions and Federal Funds; Use
Section 26d - Borrowing in Anticipation of Federal Funds
Section 27 - Lectures
Section 28 - Summer Schools
Section 30 - Moral Education
Section 31 - Bible Reading
Section 31a - Guidelines for Celebration of Holidays Authorized
Section 32 - Observance of Memorial Day
Section 32a - Sex Education; Policy Regarding Notice to Parents, Exception
Section 34 - Support of Schools; Appropriations; Recommendations
Section 34a - Transcript of Student's Record; Availability
Section 34b - Remedy for Failure to Furnish Transcript of Student's Record
Section 34d - Student Records; Maintenance, Storage, Destruction, etc.; Inspection by Parent or Guardian
Section 34e - Inspection of Student Records; Persons Authorized
Section 34g - Private Schools; Transfer of Transcripts Upon Ceasing Operation
Section 34h - Noncustodial Parents; Receipt of Information for Child Enrolled in Public Elementary or Secondary Schools; Notice to Custodial Parent
Section 35 - Beginning of Term
Section 36 - Secretary; Appointment; Duties
Section 36a - Orientation for School Committee Members
Section 37 - Powers and Duties; Superintendent Serving Joint Districts
Section 37a - Grants; Acceptance and Disbursement
Section 37b - Purchase of or Making Payments to Annuities or Investments
Section 37c - Promotion of Racial Balance
Section 37d - Racial Imbalance; Definitions; Statistics; Transfers; Priorities; Plans for Elimination; Public Hearings; Regulations; Jurisdiction; Costs; Attorney's Fees
Section 37e - Legal Counsel for Collective Bargaining
Section 37f - Legal Counsel for General Purposes
Section 37g - Corporal Punishment of Pupils Prohibited; Use of Physical Restraint; Regulations
Section 37h - Policies Relative to Conduct of Teachers or Students; Student Handbooks
Section 37h1/2 - Felony Complaint or Conviction of Student; Suspension; Expulsion; Right to Appeal
Section 37h3/4 - Suspension or Expulsion on Grounds Other Than Those Set Forth in Secs. 37h or 37h1/2
Section 37i - Magnet School Facilities; Grants; Application; Approval; Agreements; Eligible Costs; Regulations
Section 37j - Magnet Educational Programs; Reimbursement for Cost; Definition; Contracts; Joining Programs
Section 37k - Business Demonstration Projects; Disposition of Proceeds
Section 37l - Notification to School Personnel of Reporting Requirements for Child Abuse and Neglect and Fires; Reports of Students Possessing or Using Dangerous Weapons on School Premises; Transferred Students' School Records
Section 37m - Consolidation of Administrative Functions With City or Town
Section 37n - Policy for School-Sponsored Student Travel
Section 37o - School Bullying Prohibited; Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plans; Reporting of Bullying Incident Date
Section 37p - School Resource Officers
Section 37q - Mental Health Support Plans
Section 37r - Possession and Access to Two-Way Communication Device for Communicating With Police and Fire Departments During Emergency Situation
Section 38 - Employment of Teachers, Aides, Principals, etc.; Designation of Horace Mann Teachers; Performance Evaluations; Performance Standards
Section 38a - Duties; Appointment of Director of Occupational Guidance, Duties of Director
Section 38c - Status of Director of Occupational Guidance
Section 38d - District Directors of Occupational Guidance; Appointment
Section 38f - Fees for Services of Directors of Occupational Guidance; Prohibition; Penalty for Violation
Section 38g - Certification for Certain Teaching and Administrative Positions; Provisional and Standard Certificates; Policies and Guidelines Regarding Requirements and Qualifications; Applications; Recommendations; Review; Continuing Education; Renewal of Certificate
Section 38g1/2 - Specialist Teacher Endorsement in Transition Services; Transition of Students With Disabilities to Post-School Activities
Section 38h - School Librarian and School Library Supervisor or Co-Ordinator; Tenure
Section 38i - Reimbursement of Teachers for Tuitions and Fees
Section 38k - Public Relations Bureau in School Departments; Establishment
Section 38m - Student Advisory Committees
Section 38n - Proposed Annual Budgets; Public Hearings Required; Quorum
Section 38o - Sex Education Advisory Committees
Section 38p - School Psychologists; Tenure
Section 38q - Professional Development Plans; Statewide Assistance Plan
Section 38q1/2 - Curriculum Accommodation Plan
Section 38r - Criminal Background Check of Current or Prospective School Employee, Volunteer, or Other Persons Having Direct and Unmonitored Contact With Children; Criminal Offender Record Information; State and National Fingerprint-Based Criminal Background Checks
Section 39 - Teacher's Application Forms; Questions Concerning Religion or Politics
Section 40 - Compensation of Teachers; Deferred Payment
Section 41 - Tenure of Teachers and Superintendents; Persons Entitled to Professional Teacher Status; Dismissal; Review
Section 41a - Leaves of Absence of Professional Staff
Section 41b - Leaves of Absence; Peace Corps
Section 42 - Dismissal or Demotion of Teachers or Other Employees of School or School District; Arbitration
Section 42b - Rights of School Employees in Regional Districts
Section 42c - Records of Teachers; Inspection
Section 42d - Suspension of District Employees
Section 43 - Reduction of Salaries; Conditions
Section 44 - Restrictions on Teachers' Political Rights; Prohibition
Section 45 - Procurement of Teaching Positions; Regulation of Fees; Penalty for Violation
Section 47 - Athletic Programs; School Organizations; Student Activity Accounts
Section 47a - Athletic Coaches; Employment
Section 48 - Textbooks and School Supplies
Section 48a - School Safety Patrols; Functions, Limitations; Liability
Section 48b - Uniforms of School Employees
Section 49 - Purchase of Textbooks by Pupils
Section 49a - Orders for Materials and Equipment; Contracts for Services
Section 50 - Change of School Books
Section 51 - Exhibition of School Work at Expositions
Section 52 - Compensation of School Committee Members
Section 53 - School Physicians and Nurses
Section 53a - Employment of Medical Personnel by Superintendency District or Union; Compensation; Removal
Section 53b - Towns Within a Superintendency District or Union; Exemption From Appointment Requirement
Section 54 - Examination of Children and School Personnel
Section 54a - Physician or Person Trained in Emergency Medical Care; Assignment to Interscholastic Football Games
Section 54b - Administration of Medications in School Settings; Regulations
Section 54c - Automated External Defibrillators Required at School Facilities; Certified Aed Providers; Hardship Waivers; Personal Liability; Regulations
Section 55 - Contagious Diseases; Regulations
Section 55a - Sick, Injured or Incapacitated Pupils; Procedure for Handling; Emergency First Aid or Transportation; Exemption From Civil Liability
Section 55c - Eye Protective Devices
Section 55d - Musical Wind Instruments; Notification of Sanitization and Option to Sterilize at Parental Expense
Section 56 - Sick Children; Notification of Parents
Section 57 - Physical Examination of Pupils; Eye Examination, Written Report
Section 57a - Students With Potential Indicators of a Neurological Learning Disability; Guidelines for Development of Screening Procedures
Section 59 - Superintendent of Schools; Appointment; Compensation; Powers and Duties
Section 59a - Superintendents of Schools in Small Towns; Appointment; State Aid for Compensation
Section 59b - Principals; Appointment; Compensation; Duties; Appointment of Other Personnel
Section 59c - School Councils; Members; Meetings; Duties
Section 59d - School-Community Partnerships; Grant Program
Section 61 - Superintendent of Schools; Employment by a Town Union; Termination of Town Participation in a Union
Section 62 - Readjustment of Town Unions
Section 63 - School Committees as Joint Committee; Representation: Meetings; Employment of Superintendent, Removal
Section 64 - Union Superintendent; Compensation
Section 67 - Superintendents of Schools; Penalty for Accepting Fees for Obtaining Positions; Employment of Immediate Family of Certain Persons Prohibited
Section 68 - Duties of Towns to Maintain Schools; Transportation of Children; School Building Committee Representation
Section 69 - Display of National Flags; Pledge of Allegiance; Penalty for Violation
Section 69a - Plaque Reading ''for God and Country''; Placement on Public School Buildings
Section 70 - Location of Schools
Section 71 - Use of School Property; Purposes
Section 71a - Highway Safety Stations; Designation, Discontinuance
Section 71b - Adult Physical Fitness Programs
Section 71c - Community School Programs; Receipts; Deposit and Expenditure
Section 71d - Prepayment of Tuition to Private Schools or Program Sources
Section 71e - Appropriations for and Expenditure of Receipts From Adult Education and Continuing Education Programs
Section 71f - Nonresident or Foster Care Students; Deposit of Tuition Payments and State Reimbursements; Expenditures and Appropriations
Section 72 - Sale of Lunches
Section 73 - Closing of School for Teachers' Meetings
Section 74 - Management of Schools Funds by Private Corporations
Section 75 - Extended Courses of Instruction
Section 76 - Rules of Admission
Section 77 - Joint Establishment of Extended Courses
Section 79 - Junior College Designation, Degrees
Section 80 - Lunch Period for Teachers
Section 81 - Junior Colleges; Restriction on Establishment
Section 82 - Public Secondary Schools; Right of Students to Freedom of Expression; Limitations; Definitions
Section 83 - Dress and Appearance of Students Protected
Section 84 - Discipline of Students on Matters Unrelated to School-Sponsored Activities Prohibited
Section 85 - Guidelines Implementing Secs. 82 to 84; Rules and Regulations; Adoption; Emergencies; Procedures
Section 86 - Application of Secs. 83 to 85
Section 87 - Intelligence Test Scores; Records
Section 88 - Military Recruiters; On-Campus Recruiting Opportunities
Section 89 - Commonwealth Charter Schools; Horace Mann Charter Schools; Applications; Enrollment; Employees; Funding
Section 90 - Classroom Placement of Twins or Higher Order Multiples
Section 91 - Recovery High School; Definition; Enrollment; Student Performance; Rules and Regulations; Deduction of Home School District Allotment for Failure to Transfer Funds as Required
Section 92 - Innovation Schools
Section 93 - Policy Regarding Internet Safety Measures for Schools Providing Computer Access to Students
Section 94 - Commonwealth Virtual Schools
Section 95 - Reimbursement Aid to Municipalities for Costs Incurred for Federal Military Reservation Students
Section 96 - Substance Use Prevention and Abuse Education Policies for Public Schools
Section 97 - Verbal Screening Tool for Substance Abuse Disorders