An Act providing for the filling of a vacancy on the Groton-Dunstable School Committee

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Vanna Howard and 1 co-sponsor

The bill lets Dunstable’s select board and the other Dunstable member jointly appoint, by majority, a replacement for one Dunstable seat on the Groton-Dunstable Regional School Dis

House concurred

Purpose and intent

The bill provides a mechanism to fill a vacancy on the Groton-Dunstable Regional School Committee specifically for the Dunstable seat(s) following the 2026 Dunstable annual town election.

It allows the Dunstable select board, together with the remaining Dunstable member of the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District Committee, to fill the vacancy by appointment rather than following the standard selection process outlined in existing law.

The appointed member would serve a three-year term, ending with the 2029 Dunstable annual town election.

Key provisions and changes

Legislative override: The bill expressly states that, notwithstanding the Groton-Dunstable regional school district agreement, section 16A of chapter 71 of the General Laws, or any other general or special law to the contrary, the vacancy may be filled via appointment by the Dunstable select board in coordination with the other Dunstable member.

Appointment process: The two Dunstable representatives (the select board and the remaining Groton-Dunstable district member from Dunstable) would act jointly by majority vote to appoint a member to fill the vacancy.

term length: The appointed member would serve a three-year term, terminating at the 2029 Dunstable annual town election.

Scope: The change applies specifically to the vacancy arising after the 2026 Dunstable annual town election and pertains only to one of the two Dunstable seats on the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District Committee.

Who would be affected

Dunstable residents: Specifically those represented by one of the Dunstable seats on the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District Committee.

Groton-Dunstable Regional School District governance: The process for filling a Dunstable vacancy would shift from traditional pathways to a joint appointment by Dunstable officials for a three-year term.

Dunstable select board and the remaining Dunstable member of the regional committee: Primary actors in the appointment decision.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Trigger: Vacancy arising from the 2026 Dunstable annual town election.

Method: Appointment by the Dunstable select board and the remaining Dunstable member, acting jointly by majority vote.

Term duration: Three years, concluding with the 2029 Dunstable annual town election.

Legal authority: The bill explicitly supersedes existing regional district agreements and applicable laws to allow this appointment method.

Observations

The bill provides a targeted, temporary procedure to address a vacancy without requiring a broader statutory or constitutional change.

It maintains a three-year term, ensuring continuity while aligning with Dunstable's local election cycle.

The change is specific to Dunstable’s representation and does not alter the process for vacancies in Groton or for seats on the committee not held by Dunstable residents.