Committee approves updated policy packet and narrows warrant signature process

The Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee approved a package of revised policies at its April 29 meeting, voting to waive a third reading and adopt the updates after discussion about procedural safeguards for warrant approval and a narrowed face-covering policy.

Policy changes include a provision allowing the committee to designate, by roll call, a single member responsible for signing warrants to authorize disbursement — with language stating that such designation "does not limit the responsibility of each member." Several members said the policy should be accompanied by a clear procedural manual so that the warrant subcommittee continues to review warrants line by line and the single signatory role is used only to expedite payments when needed.

The face-covering policy was amended to remove COVID-specific, granular rules and instead commit the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District to follow guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Public Health in any future public-health emergency. Chair and policy-subcommittee members said this preserves the ability to align with state guidance without rewriting policy during a crisis.

A roll-call vote approved the packet; one member recorded a 'no' vote. Members agreed to finalize procedural details — including when the lone signatory would act — in a separate procedural manual or subcommittee guidance so that the practice does not undermine the warrant-subcommittee review process.