A charter school board should have a comprehensive set of policies to ensure the effective governance, management, and accountability of the school. These policies not only ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements but also promote good governance and operational transparency. Each policy should be periodically reviewed and updated as necessary to adapt to changes in law and the needs of the school community. Here is a list of recommended policies organized by category. You can download a checklist below.
1. Governance and Board Operations
- Board Member Roles and Responsibilities: Defines duties, terms, and expectations for board members.
- Conflict of Interest Policy: Outlines how board members should handle conflicts between personal interests and their duties to the school.
- Board Meetings Policy: Includes guidelines on how board meetings are conducted (frequency, quorum, open meeting laws, public comment).
- Board Member Recruitment, Selection, and Development: Defines how new members are recruited, elected, or appointed and how ongoing training will be provided.
- Board Evaluation Policy: Process for evaluating the board’s effectiveness and individual member contributions.
- Succession Planning Policy: Ensures there is a plan for leadership transition, especially for board officers and key staff.
2. Academic and Educational Programs
- Curriculum and Instruction Policy: Outlines the school’s approach to academic programs, including standards, curriculum adoption, and instructional methods.
- Assessment and Accountability Policy: Establishes how student performance will be measured and reported (standardized testing, internal assessments).
- Special Education Policy: Ensures compliance with state and federal laws related to students with disabilities.
- English Learners Policy: Addresses the needs of students who are learning English as a second language.
- Attendance Policy: Establishes guidelines for student attendance, truancy, and interventions for chronic absenteeism.
3. School Operations
- Health and Safety Policy: Covers student safety protocols, emergency preparedness, and compliance with health regulations.
- Facilities Use Policy: Outlines guidelines for the use of school property by external groups or community members.
- School Calendar and Schedule Policy: Sets the official school calendar, including holidays, professional development days, and school hours.
- Transportation Policy: Defines school-provided transportation (if applicable), including safety, routes, and eligibility.
4. Human Resources
- Employee Handbook/HR Policies: A comprehensive set of policies that include hiring, compensation, benefits, leaves of absence, and employment termination.
- Non-Discrimination/Equal Opportunity Employment Policy: Ensures compliance with laws related to workplace discrimination.
- Staff Evaluation Policy: Describes how staff, including teachers and administrators, will be evaluated.
- Professional Development Policy: Details ongoing training and support for staff.
- Code of Conduct for Staff: Establishes expected professional behavior and ethical standards for school employees.
5. Student Policies
- Code of Conduct/Discipline Policy: Outlines expectations for student behavior and consequences for violations.
- Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy: Defines what constitutes bullying and harassment and how it will be addressed.
- Admissions/Enrollment Policy: Provides guidelines for how students will be admitted to the school, including any lottery or selection process.
- Privacy and Data Protection Policy: Ensures the protection of student data, in compliance with laws like FERPA.
- Student Records Policy: Establishes the procedures for maintaining and accessing student records.
6. Financial Management
- Budget and Financial Planning Policy: Defines how the school’s budget is created, approved, and monitored.
- Audit Policy: Establishes how and when independent audits will be conducted and how findings will be addressed.
- Procurement and Purchasing Policy: Provides guidelines for how the school will purchase goods and services, including competitive bidding.
- Fundraising and Development Policy: Outlines how the school will manage fundraising efforts, grants, and donations.
- Financial Oversight and Internal Controls Policy: Ensures that strong financial oversight and internal controls are in place to prevent fraud and mismanagement.
7. Community and Family Engagement
- Family Engagement Policy: Encourages collaboration between families and the school, and outlines how families will be informed about their children’s progress.
- Complaint and Grievance Policy: Establishes the process for addressing complaints from parents, students, and other stakeholders.
- Volunteer Policy: Provides guidelines for how parents and community members can volunteer in the school.
8. Technology and Data
- Acceptable Use Policy (AUP): Outlines how students and staff can use school technology and internet resources responsibly.
- Data Privacy and Security Policy: Ensures that sensitive student and staff information is protected.
- Social Media Policy: Provides guidelines on the acceptable use of social media for both staff and students.
9. Equity and Inclusion
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policy: Ensures the school is committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all students and staff.
- Non-Discrimination Policy: Outlines the school’s commitment to preventing discrimination in all forms, in line with legal obligations.
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