Since 1994, Michigan has seen perhaps the most far reaching and comprehensive reworking of the laws and regulations governing public schooling of any state in the nation. In that short space of time, we have seen a revision of the School Code, the advent of Public School Academies, a total restructuring of school finance, substantial changes to state and federal laws regarding the obligations and responsibilities of public bodies, and a long list of judicial decisions that have a very real impact on our local school districts.

One of the fundamental changes in the new Revised School Code was a conscious decision by the legislature to give local school boards both more authority and more responsibility in the administration of the schools. Boards do this by adopting bylaws and policy, that are now required by the law. Many areas which used to be governed by law are now left to the board to decide, but must be decided by adopting new bylaws and policy.

Some bylaws and policies are specifically required by statute, others are required as a result of, or response to, case law. Still others reflect prudent management. Even in those areas where the board has great latitude, as in regulating student conduct or curriculum, there is a veritable thicket of legal considerations which complicate the board's prudent decision making.

For school districts who have had Policy Customizations done by MASB in the past, we feel a special obligation to assist in bringing their bylaws and policies "up to code." We, therefore, offer a Comprehensive Update service designed to adapt the board's previous, well-thought out policies to the new environment of the year 2000 and beyond. This service reflects the same care and professionalism exercised by MASB in the original customization. We take care to ensure that the newly revised bylaws and policies reflect, completely, the character of the district and the direction of the board.

The newly revised bylaws and policies will be coded in MASB's new, easy-to-use numerical coding system, with a comprehensive index. The coding system allows MASB to provide updates tailored to the district's needs on an ongoing basis if the district chooses to elect that service through either the ERIN homepage or through the new, separate service, "OPUS" - Online Policy Update Service - at reasonable cost to the district (present district subscribers to ERIN will experience NO INCREASE IN COST FOR THE ERIN PAGE to automatically receive the Bylaw and Policy Service Update), thereby avoiding the need for future "major" updates.

The Process

After contracting with MASB for a Comprehensive Update, the board provides the Policy Service department with its current bylaws and policy manual, including any policies adopted by the district since the original customization was done. In addition, MASB may request other policy-related documents from the district, including board minutes, school improvement plan(s), annual reports, etc. For additional consideration, the board may request that MASB review all of its ancillary material (student handbooks, staff handbooks, contracts, student code of conduct, etc.) for guidance on whether they are in line with board policy and current law.

MASB's staff of policy experts will take the information provided by the board and combine it with new policy language to produce a new bylaws and policy document with the same custom fit as the original customization. If the district requests it, we will also make policy modifications or recommendations based on information in ancillary material, to bring the entire district's formal documentation together into one cohesive package.

When finished with the updated draft, MASB staff will meet with the administration and board of the district to discuss the changes and recommendations and to help the board formulate a review and adoption process. Following any editing or changes by the board, MASB will provide one copy of the new manual in both paper and computer disk formats. Districts may of course request additional printing through the Association.

Benefits to the Board

Having already completed a customization of policies to the needs of the district, the update process allows the board to bring their policies and practices in line with current law while maintaining their unique local character. The board remains in charge of the process, but experienced MASB policy staff assist the board by doing most of the complex review and detail work required. This both saves the board time to attend to the other needs of the district and guarantees a better, more carefully crafted set of policies.

Michigan Association of School Boards, 1001 Centennial Way Suite 400, Lansing, Michigan 48917
Voice - 517.327.5900, Fax - 517.327.0775, Email - info@masb.org

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