Policy Services

Board policy is an essential governance and management tool that ensures districts operate legally, fairly, and consistently—with a focus on student achievement. AASB is here to help school boards in the policymaking process by providing consultation, workshops, research, samples, a comprehensive policy reference manual, and custom policy development services.

AASB’s Policy Online service provides full online hosting and support for school district policy manuals. The manual is easily accessible from the district’s website, allowing the public, staff, administration, and board members to view policies anytime. It features a user-friendly search function, downloadable PDFs of each policy, regulation, or exhibit, and a clear revision history.

Subscribed districts receive administrative access to additional tools, including the ability to search policies across all participating districts and view AASB’s model policy manual. Subscribers also receive annual policy updates and can request support from AASB staff to implement revisions or add new policies, ensuring the district’s manual stays current and compliant.

AASB’s copyrighted Policy Reference Manual includes over 400 policies, along with related administrative regulations and exhibits, organized in a user-friendly format with a numerical index for easy navigation. Each policy is cross-referenced to related policies, cites relevant legal authority, and includes explanatory notes outlining options or limitations in the policy area. When a district is ready to begin a comprehensive review or update of its board policy manual, the AASB reference manual is an excellent starting point.

Policy Update subscribers receive legally vetted and professionally reviewed updates throughout the year, reflecting changes in laws, regulations, and emerging educational trends. These updates supplement the AASB Policy Reference Manual and save districts the time and expense of conducting individual legal reviews. AASB also stays informed on national education policy trends through its network of policy experts from other state school board associations.

This service is automatically included for Policy Online subscribers.

For districts unsure about the current status of their policy manual, AASB offers a comprehensive Policy Audit service. Our staff compare the district’s existing policies to the AASB Model Policy Manual to identify which policies are current, outdated, or missing. The resulting audit report provides the superintendent and school board with a clear, actionable starting point for updating and revising district policies. Most audits are completed within 4–6 weeks and include a detailed summary report with categorized findings and recommended next steps.

A Policy Workshop, facilitated by a member of the Board Development team, provides board members and district leadership with an opportunity to review, revise, and align district policies with current law, best practices, and local priorities. The service includes a policy audit of select chapters within the district’s existing manual, focused on priorities identified in collaboration with district leadership. The session offers guidance on policy development, adoption, and implementation, helping participants use policy as a strategic governance tool.

Each district has unique needs, and occasionally a policy issue arises that is not addressed in AASB’s model policies. When that happens, AASB staff can collaborate with the board and administration to develop customized policies tailored to the district’s specific circumstances. All custom policies are legally vetted to ensure compliance and clarity.