SCHOOL DISTRICT LEGAL STATUS South Hadley Public Schools The legal basis for public education in the District is vested in the will of the people as expressed in the Constitution of Massachusetts and state statutes pertaining to education. Under the General Laws of Massachusetts, "... Every town shall maintain... a sufficient number of schools for the instruction of all children who may legally attend a public school therein." The public educational system of South Hadley structurally is a department of the town operated under laws pertaining to education and under regulations of the Massachusetts Board of Education. The area served by the South Hadley Public Schools is coterminous with the Town of South Hadley. LEGAL REF.: Constitution of Massachusetts, Part II, Chapter V, Section II M.G.L. 71:1 CROSS REF.: BB, School Committee Legal Status Historical Note: Massachusetts has the oldest public school system in the nation. Dating back to 1647, the laws of the Massachusetts Bay Colony required towns to provide for a program of public education. Adoption: 01/10/2006 Last Updated: 11/13/2013 Reaffirmation: 11/20/2025