There shall be a school committee consisting of five members elected by the voters of the town for three-year overlapping terms such that the term of office of at least one member but not more than two expires each year. If on the same ballot there are two or more seats vacant with varying terms of office, the longest terms of office shall accrue to the candidates receiving the highest number of votes, in succession.

A vacancy shall be filled until the next annual election by a majority vote. of a joint meeting of -the remainder of the school committee and board of selectmen. At the next Annual Municipal Election the remainder of the unexpired term shall be filled by election.

The school committee shall be the chief policy-making body for the School Department and shall appoint a Superintendent of Schools to be its chief executive officer. The school committee shall exercise all the powers and duties of school committees under the General Laws.