Creating board policies is essential for guiding organizational decision-making and ensuring consistent governance. Here are a few guidelines to help you develop new policies, and you can download our checklist below.
Rationale for a Policy
- Why do we need a policy?
- What has happened (or might happen) that requires a policy?
- How will things be better if we have a policy?
- What are the implications of establishing a policy? For example: legal, management, logistics, etc.
Developing the Policy
- What information from what sources will be helpful to create the policy?
- Where can we find samples of such a policy that might inform our decision-making?
- When will the board discuss the situation briefly, prior to anyone drafting a policy?
- Is there a particular committee that will discuss the policy development process prior to recommending to the board? If yes, which committee and why?
- Who will actually draft the policy, following Board and committee discussion? (Note: typically staff drafts policy.)
- How will we implement the policy?
- Does this add value to our work?
- Are there procedures in place to make the policy useful?
- Is implementation articulated, as necessary, within the policy
Recommending the Proposed Policy to the Board for Action
- Present a written document as part of the advance material submitted to the board prior to the board meeting. Use a coversheet to provide the history and rationale.
- Remember that the language in a policy is binding. Make sure you are using clear, concise, and accurate language.
- You may wish to have your attorney review the policy prior to presentation to the board.
Implementing the Policy
- How will we communicate the policy so that those whom it affects will understand it?
- What is our process for reviewing and updating policies as necessary?
- Remember to maintain a formal policy manual for your school.
- Your policy manual will include such topics as: finance, personnel, governance, discipline and grievance, due diligence and state accountability, etc.
- Stipulate the board adoption date on each policy. Include edit dates also.
- Attach to each policy statement the background material explaining the rationale and history.
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