Policy Manual Development - Year 2
With this service, districts will receive assistance in developing a new Policy Manual through the provision of sample policies and assignment of a policy coordinator to guide them through the process. If desired, a member of the Policy Services staff will make a presentation or video conference to the board of education. The policy coordinator is available to answer questions, discuss the process and assist the district with the customization of the Policy Manual at each stage of development. In addition, the district will also receive our Monthly Policy Updates at no additional charge while they are in the process of developing the new Policy Manual.
Following completion of the process, an electronic copy of the Word version of the new Policy Manual will be emailed to the District. A limited number of paper copies in binders, CDs, and/or flash drives will also be provided to the district, as needed. Districts may choose to place their Policy Manual on the District's website for access to the community. For assistance with this process, Districts may contract for the Online Policy Manual service or for Policy Services Support within BoardDocs, and our staff will upload the new Policy Manual on behalf of the District.
Cost: $8,800 (usually split over two academic years)
First year of development = $8,800
Second year of development = $8,800
Extension year = $2,300 (if necessary)
Erie 1 BOCES Policy Services will work collaboratively with the school district to develop a new comprehensive Board Policy Manual that is up-to-date with federal and state laws, regulations, court and Commissioner's decisions, and to reflect the culture and practices of the community and district. Either following, or in conjunction with the development of the Policy Manual, the development of the Administrative (Regulation) Manual may occur.
Erie 1 BOCES strives to develop a Policy Manual that puts the district in a proactive stance as it relates to school issues. In addition, the Policy Manual will:
- Provide an infrastructure of governance for the district
- Organize and clarify district information
- Provide an orientation tool for new board members
- Communicate to the school and community the board's governance positions
- Provide the foundation and parameters for administrative implementation
- Increase the probability that board's decisions will be objective and consistent
Once a district makes a commitment for the development of a new Policy Manual, the district must complete the second year of the contract.
The district will contact Policy Services to discuss their needs and feasibility of developing a new Policy Manual and to request cross contracts. Once the district commitment has been confirmed, the district will appoint a representative to serve as the point person for the project. The district will supply Policy Services with existing policies and other information as requested. The district will commit to work with Policy Services on the development of the Policy Manual over the two-year period following the designated timeline and processes.
Following completion of the Policy Manual, Policy Services offers three levels of service to maintain the Policy Manual. Refer to the Monthly Policy Updates (Level 1), Quarterly Policy Revisions & Updates (Level 2) or Policy Audits (Level 3) for further details.
Districts considering the development of a new Policy Manual are invited to contact the manager of Policy Services to discuss the district needs, obtain information about the cost and process of developing a new Policy Manual, and request a proposal for this service. If desired, a district visit, presentation to the policy committee or board of education, or a conference call may be arranged.
Once the district commitment has been confirmed, a policy coordinator will be assigned to work directly with the district. The coordinator will contact the district to request appropriate materials, and a copy of the current manual, and will forward a "First Draft Questionnaire" to obtain information that will assist the coordinator in customizing the first draft. Upon delivery of the first draft, a guidance document and other materials will be provided to assist the district with the review process. Policy Services staff will be able to answer questions at every stage of the process and provide additional sample policies or information on various policy topics as needed.
At the end of the drafting process and following adoption of the new Policy Manual by the district, Policy Services will provide binder copies,CDs and/or electronic version of the final Policy Manual. In addition, upon completion of the Policy Manual, districts will have the option to develop an Online Policy Manual. This service allows districts to have their Policy Manual placed in a secure online document library which will be maintained by Policy Services. The online Policy Manual will be linked to the district's existing website to allow access by the school community. (Refer to the description for the Online Policy Manual for further details.)