Policies

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Policy Manual

Introduction
This manual represents a transition from the old alpha to a numeric codification system. Each policy has a four digit code. The first digit (1-9) refers to a major section or series. Personnel policies all have a first digit of six and all personnel relevant policies are grouped under what is referred to as the “6000 series”. The second digit delineates a major sub category within the series. Thus in Series 6000–Personnel, major sub categories include: 6100–Goals, 6200–Working Conditions, 6300–Compensation and Benefits, 6400–Hiring and Separation, 6500–Assignments, 6600–Staff Training, and 6700–Evaluation. The third and fourth numbers refer to individual policies within the sub categories (the fourth digit being a further grouping to ʻnestʼ like policies). Thus in sub category 6300–Compensation and Benefits, we have 6310–Compensation of Certified Staff, 6320–Salary Schedule, and 6321–Base Salary (note that 6321–Base Salary is nested in 6320–Salary Schedule since it is a sub category). Administrative Procedures or non-policy expansions or additions are paired with relevant policies and are designated with a decimal. Thus under 6324–Credit for Professional Training Beyond a Bachelorʼs Degree, we have 6324.1–Administrative Procedures for Implementation of Policy 6324. If there were additional procedures under 6324 they would be coded 6324.2, etc. 
 
Policies and Administrative Procedures
The role of the Board of Education is to establish a philosophy or direction of the district through policies. The role of administration is to implement those policies through a system of administrative procedures. According to the National School Boards Association, policies are principles adopted by the Board to chart a course of action. They tell what the Board wants to happen and explain why it should happen. They are broad enough to indicate a line of action to be taken in meeting a variety of day-to-day situations, but they are narrow enough to give administrative guidance.
 
Administrative procedures are detailed directions developed by administration to put policies into practice. Policies are therefore actions of the board, while administrative procedures are actions of administration used to implement actions of the Board. Policies may contain sufficient directions as to not warrant any further administrative procedure. Administrative procedures do not, however, exist without a policy–their only purpose is to implement a specific policy.
 
Although policies are generally to impart a direction and philosophy, many situations exist where the implementation, usually reserved for administrative procedures, will actually be contained in the policy. State and federal regulations often require development of detailed procedures in policy. Policies involving discipline, due process, and sometimes special education may fall into this category.
 
Occasionally the Board may determine that it is in the best interest to expand on specific procedures within policy, particularly when a sensitive issue is involved.
 
Even beyond these examples, it is sometimes difficult to maintain separation between policy and procedure– the nature of the topic may lead to blurring of the lines of distinction.
 
The policies that appear in this manual reflect the status as of July of 2009. Changing statutes, regulations, needs, and philosophies dictate that School Board policies be frequently modified and updated. The Grand Island Board of Education endeavors to insure compliance with statutes and regulations through a standing committee of the Board, however the scope and magnitude of the manual makes complete day-to-day compliance impractical. Each policy is followed by an “adopted” or “revised” date. Compliance is assured only to statute and regulations issued prior to that date. 
 
Up-to-date information on policies can be obtained from the central office at 123 South Webb Road (308 385-5900).
 
This document replaces the document dated July 2008 and any previous versions. Please discard earlier documents.