I. General ParametersThe Board considers policy development one of its chief responsibilities. It is the intent of the Board to develop policies and put them in writing so that they may serve as guidelines for its own operations and for the successful, consistent, and efficient functioning of District schools and the high achievement of District students. All staff, students, and visitors to the District (including parents) are expected to adhere to all policies and regulations adopted by the Board. Disregard of Board polices and regulations by District staff may be considered insubordination and/or willful neglect of duty.
The Board references and utilizes the policy development and codification system recommended by the Colorado Association of School Boards ("CASB") in developing policy. This system, as modified to meet the needs of individual school districts, serves only as a general guideline for policy research, drafting of preliminary policy proposals with feedback from District constituents, presenting new and revised policies to the Board for consideration and action, policy dissemination, policy evaluation, and the continuous maintenance of the Board policy manual.
The policies of the Board shall be interpreted in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations.
II. Policy Adoption
Adoption of new policies or the revision or repeal of existing policies is solely the responsibility of the Board of Education. However, proposals regarding policies may originate with a member of the Board, the Superintendent, General Counsel for the District, staff members, parents, students, or any resident of the District. A careful and orderly process shall be used in examining such proposals prior to action upon them by the Board. The Board shall take action after hearing the recommendations of the Superintendent and the Superintendent's leadership team and the viewpoints of those persons and groups affected by the policy.
As a general rule, a proposal for a new policy or a policy revision shall be initially presented as an information item at a regular meeting and then presented for discussion and a vote for adoption at the next regular meeting. This adoption procedure may be modified if circumstances so require, such as policy revisions mandated by law.
Amendments to new policy proposals or revisions may be proposed by Board members prior to the adoption vote. Minor amendments shall not require an additional reading, except if the Board determines that further consideration is required. Substantive amendments should be considered for an additional reading prior to the adoption vote.
Under unusual circumstances, the Board may temporarily approve a policy to meet emergency conditions. However, the standard adoption process must be followed before such a policy is adopted as a permanent policy.
III. Policy Revision and Review
In an effort to keep its written policies up-to-date, the Board shall review its policies on a continuing basis. Changes in laws, needs, conditions, purposes, and objectives will require revisions, deletions, and additions to the policies of the present and future boards. The Board welcomes suggestions from its constituents for ongoing policy development.
The Superintendent and the Superintendent's leadership team shall be responsible for calling to the Board's attention all policies that are out of date or for other reasons appear to need revision. Policy revision shall be accomplished in the same manner as policy adoption.
At the Board's discretion, the Board may direct the Superintendent to review and revise the entire policy manual including regulations.
IV. Board Review of Regulations
The Superintendent has the responsibility for implementing the policies established by the Board. To meet that objective, the Superintendent and the Superintendent's leadership team may issue properly titled and coded implementing regulations, which may be submitted to the Board for review and approval. Regulations shall be approved by the Board when required by state or federal law or when circumstances make it advisable to obtain Board approval. If regulations are not submitted to the Board for an approval vote, then the Board shall be provided with copies of all district-wide regulations issued by the Superintendent and the Superintendent's leadership team. The Board may only revise or veto such regulations when said regulations are inconsistent with the policies adopted by the Board.
V. Policy Communication
The Superintendent shall develop a plan for preserving and disseminating Board policies and regulations. Administrators shall be informed of policy changes on a regular basis and are responsible for informing their subordinates of new policies and revisions to existing policies and regulations and for ensuring that they are implemented in the spirit intended.
The Board's policies and regulations are a public record and are available to all staff, students, parents, and the public on the District's website and for inspection at the administrative offices of the District during regular business hours of the District upon reasonable request.
VI. Monitoring Policy Implementation
The Board shall continuously monitor the implementation of its policies to ensure that the Board's goals and objectives are being achieved and that the District is being operated in a manner consistent with Board policy.
VII. Suspension/Repeal of Board Policy
In the event of special circumstances, the operation of any section or sections of Board policies, including those governing the Board's own operating procedures, may be temporarily suspended by a majority vote of Board members present at any regular or special meeting. This provision, however, does not apply to any section of Board policies that may be required by law.
Policy repeal shall be accomplished in the same manner as policy adoption.
Originally Adopted : Date of Manual Adoption July 13, 1992
Current Revision: February 13, 2023
Adoption Date: July 13, 1992
Last Revised: February 13, 2023
| Legal References: | C.R.S. § 22 33 104 (4) (compulsory school attendance policy required) |
| C.R.S. § 22-32-109.1 (specific duties of board in relation to safe school plan and conduct and discipline code) | |
| C.R.S. § 22 32 109(1)(a-c), and (y)(I) (specific duties of board) | |