A board that takes responsibility for its policymaking roles is able to turn its policy manual into a living document that provides good governance directives to the district at all times.
A school board policy manual requires constant review and revision in response to changing state and federal laws, regulations, and court cases, as well as changes in society and the community.
School board policy must be written and available to the public. It should:
- Provide a statement to the community of district goals,
- Delegate authority to the superintendent,
- Define operating limits,
- Ensure legal compliance,
- Establish board processes, and
- Provide for monitoring district progress.
IASB offers a full range of policy services and tools designed to meet the unique needs of your school board.
PRESS – Policy Reference Education Subscription Service
PRESS is the IASB policy and procedure information and updating service. This subscription service has two components: the Policy Reference Manual, an encyclopedia of sample policies and procedures, legally referenced and footnoted; and periodic update issues. PRESS is an essential tool for keeping your board policy and administrative procedures manuals up-to-date. Both the Policy Reference Manual and the periodic update issues are web-published.
Policy Manual Customization
An IASB policy director will work with the board and superintendent to develop a new and up-to-date local school board policy manual. This policy manual will be based upon IASB’s Policy Reference Manual and will be customized to include your district’s current policy and practices, as appropriate.
PRESS Plus
This customized, full-maintenance policy update service, based on PRESS, helps districts to keep their policy manuals up to date with changes in law, regulations, and local conditions by providing online access to customized draft updates, and incorporating board adopted changes into the local manual, saving staff valuable time. Available to districts that have completed a Policy Manual Customization.
School Board Policies Online
This service provides easy internet access to your current board policy with quick updates, complete searches for words or phrases, and timesaving links to legal references and cross-references. No more three-ringed binders to maintain. Enjoy the benefits of a paperless policy manual.
Administrative Procedures Project
An IASB policy director will work with your district staff to develop up-to-date, customized administrative procedures to implement the board policy manual. These administrative procedures will be based upon the procedures and exhibits contained in the IASB Policy Reference Manual and your district’s current practices. Available to districts that subscribe to PRESS Plus and meet other eligibility criteria.
Administrative Procedures Online
This service web-publishes the district’s administrative procedures manual at a separate link from the board policy manual. The service is available to districts that subscribe to School Board Policies Online.
BoardBook®
This web service streamlines the preparation, distribution, and publishing of agenda packets. Electronically distribute materials, post on your website, and conduct paperless meetings.