Policies and Administrative Procedures

Introduction

INTRODUCTION - view PDF print friendly version

Difference Between Policy & Procedure | Purpose of Written Board Policies | Use of Manual

INTRODUCTION TO THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF
THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF BOISE CITY

The Independent School District of Boise City operates according to policies established by the Board of Trustees. The Board, which represents the local community, adopts policies after careful deliberation, and the school administration implements them through specific procedures. The Board then appraises the effects of its policies and makes revisions as necessary.

The Difference Between Policy and Procedure

DEFINITIONS:

Policies: are principles adopted by the Board to chart a course of action. They tell what is wanted and may include why and how much. They are broad enough to indicate a line of action to be taken by the administration in meeting a number of day to day problems; they need to be narrow enough to give the administration clear guidance.

Procedures: are detailed directions developed by the administration to put policy into practice. They tell how, by whom, where and when things are to be done.

Board Approved Administrative Procedures: are procedures developed by the Superintendent or designee to implement Board policy and submitted to the Board by the Superintendent or designee for approval. A Board approved administrative procedure may be approved in the same meeting as it is presented.

As long as the administration operates within the guidelines of general policy adopted by the Board, it may change procedures without prior Board approval unless Board action is required by law or unless the Board has specifically asked that a particular procedure be given Board approval.

The Board, of course, should be kept informed of procedures issued by the administration. Either the Superintendent or the Board may request prior Board approval to administrative procedures. Issues which are controversial or are often subject to law suits are typical reasons for this type of request.

For further information concerning policy, see Board policies #1320 through #1327.

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The Purpose of Written Board Policies is:

• to provide a framework for the District's goals and vision.
• to provide the community an opportunity for input in charting the District’s course of action and in establishing guidelines and limits.
• to avoid or minimize controversial situations by:

• protecting individuals from arbitrary administrative decisions;
• providing a fair and objective process in which an individual’s problems, concerns, or accusations can be calmly and appropriately addressed; and
• providing advanced written notice of the rules

• to be accountable to the community.
• to establish through policy the usual and customary method of handling a recurring problem or issue and thus allowing the Board and administration to operate in a more efficient manner.
• to clarify Board/Superintendent relations and provide guidance for the Superintendent.
• to maintain continuity and consistency and foster stability.
• to provide the basis for a legal record.

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Use of the Manual

1. How to find a policy : Turn to the Policy Manual Table of Contents to determine which section addresses the policy area of interest. Use the code numbers to locate the pages.

2. Codes used for listings other than policies Pages which have a letter(s) following the page number are not policy pages, e.g. #3114P. The letters, and their meanings are listed below.

P - Administrative Procedure
BP - Board Approved Administrative Procedure
E - Exhibit or reference document
C - A section from the District's Charter
F - Form

3. Legal References Legal references indicate the section of the law, the court decisions, etc. which are pertinent to the policy. Other laws and/or court decisions also may be applicable to a particular policy. The following explains terms and abbreviations used in the legal references:

Charter - Charter established for the Independent School District of Boise City in 1881 while Idaho was still a territory
IC - Idaho Code
IDAPA - Idaho Administrative Procedures Act – Rules promulgated by Idaho State Board of Education
USC -United States Code
CFR - Code of Federal Regulations

4. Cross-References Certain policies relate to others. Cross references are provided following some of the policies to help the reader find all of the related information.

5. Handbook References Handbook references indicate resources where portions of the policy and/or related procedures may be located.

6. Dates Each policy page (white page) indicates when it was adopted, reviewed, or revised.

7. Order of precedence Board policies must be read and interpreted in the light of applicable laws, court rulings, and state regulations. Wherever inconsistencies of interpretation arise, the applicable laws, court rulings, and state regulations prevail.

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8. Definitions The following terms are used throughout this policy manual:

Director: is responsible to the Superintendency for the character and quality of the total educational program in his/her assigned area of the District.

Board: refers to the governing body of the Independent School District of Boise City composed of seven elected representatives. The Board of Trustees sets District policy and acts as the final appeal panel for extended suspensions and expulsions.

Council of Directors: refers to a body which is composed of the District’s directors or designees acting in their capacity as an appeal panel.

Designee: is a person who is designated or appointed by the person or persons named in the policy to fulfill the stated duties.

District: is the Independent School District of Boise City.

On District premises or at any District sponsored activity, regardless of location: shall include, but not be limited to buildings, facilities, and grounds on the District campus, school busses, District parking areas; and the location of any District sponsored activity. This includes instances in which the conduct occurs off the District premises but impacts a District related activity.

District Official: includes, but is not limited to, teacher, school counselor, school nurse, coach, activities director, principal, assistant principal, or District administrator.

Superintendent: is the Superintendent of schools for the Independent School District of Boise City.

How to Make Suggestions for Improving this Policy Manual

Policy development is a continuing process. Suggestions may be made by contacting the Clerk of the Board at the Edward L. Davis District Services Center at 208-854-4123, or writing to:

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF BOISE CITY
8169 W. Victory Rd.
Boise, Idaho 83709

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