Policy Services

The school board is ultimately accountable to its citizens for the way schools are governed and managed, and for the results achieved. Ironically, board members often find that little of their time is devoted to the important and difficult job of crafting policy.

When we speak about board policy, we speak about ideas with the power to set directions for the schools that will bring about prudent action by the administration, staff and board. The truest thing ever said about policy development is that it never ends.

Well-written policy establishes the parameters within which the district operates. Policy is an idea designed to bring action - the kind of action that the policy-maker wants. It tells the school community what the board wants and why. These two messages tell the administration enough so that it can get working on the task in accordance with the board's wishes. The policy will no doubt include much more, but it will provide leeway for executive judgment.

OSBA policy services offers several levels of assistance, ranging from Basic to Premium Services. Experienced OSBA policy consultants assist boards of education in developing and updating their school board policy manuals and administrative guidelines. The policy consultants are supported by the expertise of OSBA's legal, labor relations, legislative and management staff.

• Every district should have a well-organized, comprehensive and usable manual.
• OSBA provides the highest quality service at a competitive rate.
• OSBA policy services offers various types of expert guidance, depending on your district's need, using local input and materials.
• OSBA policies are reviewed and supported by our legal, legislative, labor relations and other management services staff.
• OSBA policy services approaches the process from the board's point of view, ensuring complete board control.
• OSBA consultants are available for meetings in the district and by telephone.

Once your policies are complete, OSBA offers another policy service called Online Web Conversion Service. This service continues to complement your policy manual by allowing online access to your administration, staff and board. You can link it to your district web site and make it available to the public too if you wish.

Please refer to the "Policy Services at a Glance" section for brief descriptions for each of our services.

For further information, please contact Jeannette Radcliff at jradcliff@ohioschoolboards.org or call (614) 540-4000.