The terms which appear regularly throughout the study are defined below: Independent or local school district is a single autonomous school district with its owr^school committee and Superintendent of Schools. Union Superintendency refers to the organizational pattern of two or more communities joining together to hire a superintendent to provide coordinated educational leadership. Union School Committee' is that committee which conducts the • affairs of the Union Superintendency. Its primary

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... nction is that of hiring a superintendent of schools and other super-> visory or curriculum area specialists. The committee does not supplant, oversee, or control the local school committee. Union School Superintendent is the chief executive officer of theunion school committee and the local School Committees making up the Union Superintendency. Under the general direction of the Union committee, he has the care and supervision of the public schools in the communities that comprise the union school district. The amount of time spent in each community is generally on a pro-rated basis. 12 Regional School District refers to that educational organization consisting of two or more co mmiinitie s . The district is a bodypolitic and corporate with all the powers and duties conferred by law upon the local school .district. By statute a Regional School District is formed legally only when construction of school facilities is involved. Regional School Committee is vested with the powers, duties, and ii3.ijilitie s of a regional school district. It exercises the same in accordance with the agreements entered into and approved by the member communities. This Committee is a body politic and completely autonomous. Regional School Superintendent is the chief executive officer of the Regional School District. His duties and responsibilities are with the Regional District only. State Board refers to the Massachusetts State Board of Public Education. This Board consists of the chancellor of the board of higher education and the commissioner of education, ex officiis, and eleven members, residents of the Commonwealth, appointed by the Governor. r.on.missioner of Education is the chief executive officer of the State Board and the chief state school officer for elementary % and secondary education. N 13 Committee on Unions and Regions is an Advisory Committee in the Massachusetts Department of Public Education. It makes recommendations to the State Board, through the Commissioner of Education, on all Unions petitioning dissolution. S B A P refers to the School Building Assistance Program. This bureau acts on all m^atters pertaining to school construction in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In order to receive state aid for construction, approval must be obtained from this bureau.