School board policies are statements that set forth the purposes and prescribe in general terms the organization and program of a school system. The formulation and adoption of policies, recorded in writing, will constitute the basic method by which the Board will exercise its leadership in the operation of the school system. Policies create a framework within which the superintendent and his or her staff can discharge their assigned duties with positive direction.
Policy tell what is wanted, but not everything needs to be in policy!
Policy is not:
Detailed direction
Restatements or paraphrases of state or federal law
Forms, job descriptions, etc.
There might be times you see administrative regulation language in a policy because the law/statute or rule requires the how, where, when and by whom to be in policy, and in order for the conveyance of the procedure, it also has to be included in the administrative regulation as well.
The basic responsibility for initiating, reviewing and recommending new policies or policy modification will rest with the superintendent. New policies or changes in existing policy may be proposed by any Board member, staff member, parent, student or other member of the community to the superintendent for the Board to consider. The superintendent, in developing these policies, may be guided by the recommendations of the staff and may seek parent and community input during the preparation and subsequent review of policy statements. Advice from legal counsel may be appropriate. The superintendent will furnish all necessary background information to the Board.
The final authority and responsibility for board policy lies with the Board.
