1. www.msbanet.org Top 10 Things to Know to Make the Policy Process Work for You Kathleen Atwood Ted Farnen Oct. 1, 2015

2. www.msbanet.org Reaction When You Get An MSBA Policy Update

3. www.msbanet.org Reaction When You Get An MSBA Policy Update

4. www.msbanet.org Reaction When You Get An MSBA Policy Update

5. www.msbanet.org Reaction When You Get An MSBA Policy Update

6. www.msbanet.org Reaction When You Get An MSBA Policy Update

7. www.msbanet.org Reaction When You Get An MSBA Policy Update

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9. 1. Policy vs. Procedure  Policies are adopted by the Board.  Procedures are implemented by administration to assist the district in carrying out the goals as established by Board policy.  Some policies and procedures are legally required and some are best practices.

10. www.msbanet.org 2. Checklists  Checklists make it easier for you and MSBA to keep track of what policies and procedures your district has adopted and implemented.  Hints for keeping checklists for future use – desktop, folders.

11. www.msbanet.org 3. Reference Copies  Reference copies show the changes that are being made to policies and procedures.  Yellow highlighting shows new wording and strike-outs show deleted language.  Why not just send a clean copy of the policy with the Update?  Explanations

12. www.msbanet.org 4. Secrets of the Code (It’s How We Keep Track of Stuff)

13. www.msbanet.org Sample Policy File Name BBB-C.2E (at bottom of page) BBB-UC.2E (This is the name of the file when it is sent to you. The “U” is taken off after policy is adopted.)

14. www.msbanet.org BBB-C.2E  BBB – School Board Elections (All policies that begin with a “B” deal with School Board Governance and Operations.) (Sections A-K)  -C – This means it is a policy. Other codes include -AP (procedure), -R (regulation) and -S (supplemental policy).

15. www.msbanet.org BBB-C.2E .2E – The “2” means this is the second standard version of a policy. Most policies only have one standard version. The “E” shows that this is the fifth time it has been updated since the policy originated. (A=1, B=2, etc.)

16. www.msbanet.org Custom File Names  If a district has made any custom changes to a policy, it is noted in the file name.  Example: BBB-C.WAS (Each district has a unique three-letter/number code.)  This is a quick way to note if district has added or deleted standard language.

17. www.msbanet.org What Are Those Other Numbers?  (9/15) The numbers in parentheses at the bottom of the page note the MSBA Policy Update in which the policy or procedure was last updated.  If a policy has more than one version, the version number will be included for a second time in the file name when it appears online. (BBB-2C.2E) You don’t need to worry about this!

18. www.msbanet.org Procedure File Names/Codes  Procedures are a little bit different.  Each procedure has a numeric designation even if there is only one version of a procedure.  Example: ADF-AP1.1E  The “1” is gradually being added to the file name of the relevant procedures as they are updated or as other procedures in their respective sections are revised.

19. www.msbanet.org File Name/Code Review Examples  CBG-C.1D  ECA-C.NN6  FEF-C.2F  DJF-AP2.1A  GDBC-AP1.RAY  EBBC-S.1A

20. www.msbanet.org 5. Forms  MSBA provides standard generic Word document forms on the MSBA website (www.msbanet.org).www.msbanet.org  If MSBA updates a form, we send you a standard version in a Policy Update.  MSBA does not create custom forms for districts, but if a district makes a custom form and sends MSBA a PDF of it, we will post it online.

21. www.msbanet.org 6. Policy Online  We take your policies and put them online for all to see. (MSBA hosts about 215 online districts. This is not a service for basic districts.)  State law mandates each district post “a current version of that district's policy manual and all related documents” on the district website.  MSBA gets it put online ASAP after district notifies us of changes, but times vary.

22. www.msbanet.org 7. Paper vs. Online Manuals  After district adopts policies and implements procedures from an Update, we mail “clean” copies to district. These are for the paper manuals that complement the online manual.  If it’s a small update or you make request, we will email you clean PDFs.  This is a good time to retain your old versions of policies and procedures.

23. www.msbanet.org 8. Policy Revisions Not in an Update and BBFA  Contact MSBA editor and/or lawyer when your Board wants to revise policies not included in an Update.  We can help make sure policy is sound and we need to know when changes are made.  Make sure your handbooks jibe with policy. Don’t “cut and paste” handbook material into policies.

24. www.msbanet.org BBFA  BBFA – Board Member Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosure  State law requires this be approved by Board once every two years.  MSBA recommends districts adopt annually, and many do so.  A copy of the re-adopted policy (with seal) and Board minutes (signed by Board president) must be sent to MO Ethics Commission.

25. www.msbanet.org 9. What’s Pending?  Don’t be afraid to ask.  Almost every district has something pending.  MSBA can provide a summary of what’s pending so that your Board and administration can stay current.  We want you to be up-to-date!

26. www.msbanet.org 10. Communication is a Two-Way Street

27. www.msbanet.org Communication is a Two-Way Street  We need to hear from you about revised policies and procedures, changes in administrative positions and personnel changes such as Board secretary, job title revisions and contact information.  MSBA has email newsletters, webinars, conferences, regional meetings, Facebook and Twitter to reach out to you.

28. www.msbanet.org Closing  Thanks for what you do!  Questions?