Strengthening Governance Through a Policy Audit
Katie Oliver, Associate Executive Director
As I have worked with school boards this year, I often hear the question: how can we better make sure our board policies are updated, aligned, and relevant to our district? Policymaking is one of a school board’s most important duties, and through policy, a board defines its vision for the district and establishes a structure for accomplishing its goals. This month, I’m offering guidance on best practices for policy review and highlighting how a policy audit can support boards in maintaining an effective and legally sound governance framework.
Best Practices for Policy Review
While some districts manage policy work as a full board activity, many school boards delegate initial review and revision to a standing policy committee. A productive approach involves assembling a working team of board members interested in policy development who will be accountable for coordinating the review process. An effective policy committee might include a mix of detail-oriented analysts and creative, strategic thinkers, supported by the Superintendent, Executive Admin/Board Secretary, and key administrative staff as needed.
Next, plan out a calendar of meetings to support a thoughtful and deliberate policy review schedule, while accounting for your regular board meeting workload. Boards should engage in a high-level review of policy chapters on a regular multi-year cycle, while also evaluating model policy updates distributed by AASB. Policymaking is not a one-time task — it is a continuous improvement process. Policies must be regularly reviewed and updated to keep pace with changing federal and state laws, educational practices, and the evolving needs of the district.
Finally, view policy review as an opportunity for community engagement. When reviewing sections like “Article 4 – Personnel”, consider involving HR staff and seeking input from employee groups. A review of “Article 5 – Students” might include inviting student government leaders to participate or consult. Advisory school boards and site councils can always offer valuable local perspectives that help tailor district policies to the needs of the community.
The Value of a Policy Audit
One powerful tool available to school boards is a policy audit. A policy audit provides a comprehensive review and analysis of a district’s policy manual, offering the board and administration a clear understanding of the current status of their policies — what is up-to-date, what is outdated, and what may be missing altogether. This process helps boards identify strengths and gaps, and sets the stage for strategic, informed policymaking.
AASB offers policy audits as a service to districts for a service fee. During a policy audit, AASB staff conduct a thorough comparison of your district’s policies against the current model policy reference manual. The resulting customized audit report identifies 1) policies that are current and aligned, 2) policies that are outdated or superseded, and 3) gaps where critical policies are missing.
A completed policy audit gives both the Superintendent and the Board a clear roadmap for prioritizing policy updates. It helps boards focus your collective time and energy on policy-level, student achievement-centered decisions and demonstrate accountability and transparency to the public.
If you are interested in a policy audit or have a question about a particular policy need within your district please don’t hesitate to contact me or Board Development Coordinator Pete Hoepfner. We love hearing from you, and thinking through the unique and compelling situations that you encounter through your board’s work. And remember, an engaged board supported by clear and current policies is better positioned to lead with confidence and keep students at the center of every decision.