Chapter 71

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 1D Prohibition of adoption or implementation of policy or code in sports or athletic events that impairs or prohibits hairstyle historically associated with race
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Section 5 Repealed, 1948, 643, Sec. 2
Section 6 Education in out-of-town high schools
Section 6A Admission of students from outside commonwealth
Section 6B A military-connected student school enrollment
Section 7 Repealed, 1947, 679, Sec. 5
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Section 8, 9 Repealed, 1948, 643, Sec. 2
Section 10 Expenses of physically disabled children
Section 11 High school; definition
Section 11/2 Definitions; applicability of Sec. 2 of chapter 70
Section 12 Repealed, 1969, 254, Sec. 6
Section 13 Requested courses; school committee approval
Section 13A to 13C Repealed, 1972, 215, Sec. 2
Section 13D High schools; required subjects; driver training
Section 13E Repealed, 1972, 215, Sec. 2
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 16C Regional school districts; school transportation
Section 16D Aid from state
Section 16E Regional school districts; audits; payment of costs
Section 16F Retirement system
Section 16G Liability of towns for expenses of district
Section 16H Repealed, 2003, 46, Sec. 80
Section 16I Severability of sections relating to regional school districts
Section 16B1/2 Excess and deficiency fund; surplus funds used to reduce assessments
Section 16D1/2 Monies received as nonresident tuition or reimbursements from commonwealth for foster care children
Section 16G1/2 Stabilization fund
Section 17 Repealed, 1991, 138, Sec. 336
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 26E Repealed, 1978, 367, Sec. 70E
Section 26F Repealed, 1966, 14, Sec. 52
Section 27 Lectures
Section 28 Summer schools
Section 29 Repealed, 1979, 717, Sec. 3
Section 30 Moral education
Section 30A Repealed, 1986, 195
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 33 Repealed, 1979, 439, Sec. 1
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 34C Repealed, 1965, 43
Section 34D Student records; maintenance, storage, destruction, etc.; inspection by parent or guardian
Section 34E Inspection of student records; persons authorized
Section 34F Repealed, 1976, 50, Sec. 2
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 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; model school resource officer memorandum of understanding; review commission; assignment of 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 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 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 38B Repealed, 1978, 367, Sec. 70E
Section 38C Status of director of occupational guidance
Section 38D District directors of occupational guidance; appointment
Section 38E Repealed, 1978, 367, Sec. 70E
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 38H School librarian and school library supervisor or co-ordinator; tenure
Section 38I Reimbursement of teachers for tuitions and fees
Section 38J Repealed, 1995, 209, Sec. 2
Section 38K Public relations bureau in school departments; establishment
Section 38L Repealed, 1978, 512, Sec. 12
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 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 38G1/2 Specialist teacher endorsement in transition services; transition of students with disabilities to post-school activities
Section 38G3/4 Guidelines to increase diversity among teaching, administration and staff positions
Section 38Q1/2 Curriculum accommodation plan
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 42A Repealed, 1993, 71, Sec. 45
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 43A, 43B Repealed, 1993, 71, Sec. 49
Section 44 Restrictions on teachers' political rights; prohibition
Section 45 Procurement of teaching positions; regulation of fees; penalty for violation
Section 46 to 46B Repealed, 1972, 766, Sec. 10
Section 46C Repealed, 1968, 352, Sec. 2
Section 46D to 46F Repealed, 1972, 766, Sec. 10
Section 46G Repealed, 1995, 209, Sec. 4
Section 46H to 46M Repealed, 1972, 766, Sec. 10
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 55B Repealed, 2003, 46, Sec. 81
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 58 Repealed, 1945, 543, Sec. 1
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 60 Repealed, 1969, 254, Sec. 6
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 65 Repealed, 1978, 367, Sec. 70E
Section 66 Repealed, 1958, 241
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 72A Implementation the federal community eligibility provision; waiver; training; certification of students for free school meal status
Section 72B Repealed, 2023, 28, Sec. 37, eff. July 1, 2023.
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 78 Repealed, 1978, 367, Sec. 70E
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
Section 98 Instruction on the history of genocide
Section 98A Provision of resources relative to antisemitism and societal bias
Section 99 Purple Star Campuses
Section 100 Age-appropriate media literacy skills instruction in schools; use of content from educational diversion program
Section 101 Diversity, equity and inclusion officer or diversity team

Chapter 71

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Chapter 71: PUBLIC SCHOOLS