School Committee holds MASC training retreat on governance
School Committee · Meeting of January 17, 2026
EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton School Committee held a full-day retreat on January 17 to train members on governance fundamentals. Chair Laura Scott and six Committee members, along with Superintendent Michelle Balch, EdD, and Director of Business Services Julia Saari-Franks, received instruction from MASC Field Directors Liz Lafond and Tracy Novick on Committee Member Responsibilities, Open Meeting Law, Code of Ethics, and Budget Roles. Training emphasized that Committee power is exercised only through official action at properly posted meetings, that individual members hold no authority beyond any other qualified voter, and that primary responsibility is to students.
The Committee voted 6-0 to adjourn at 1:11 P.M.
In the full story:
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Source: the School Committee meeting of January 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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