School Boards
State law entrusts democratically-elected school boards to shape local school policy in response to community priorities and needs. But instead of crafting local policy, many school boards rely on generic boilerplate purchased from outside sources.
What You May Be Facing
In many cases, school board members may find that the generic policies that are available to them don’t adequately capture their community’s vision for their schools. These boilerplate policies can also contain errors, inconsistencies, and omissions that can make them difficult to implement and that can perversely create risk of civil rights and other violations.
How I Help
Drawing on my knowledge of state and federal school regulations and my experience representing students in legal actions that implicate school policy, I offer the following services to school boards and school board members:
Trainings on student rights and the role of policy in protecting student rights
Second-opinion review of existing and proposed policies, focused on:
Legal and regulatory compliance
Potential implementation issues
Adequate protection of student rights, and opportunities for more robust protection
Revision and drafting services.
Why This Is Important
In order to serve their communities responsively and well, school boards need an alternative to the off-the-shelf approach to policymaking that predominates in the state. My goal is to revitalize the concept of local control by empowering school boards to engage creatively and courageously in truly local policymaking.
What does it cost to work with you?
School boards and board members please reach out for pricing information.
How does this process work?
It starts with a conversation! Whether you are a student, a community organization, or a school board or board member, we'll start with an initial consultation where I'll learn about your specific needs, challenges and goals with respect to your local schools. Based on that information, we'll discuss potential next steps and, if appropriate, agree on a plan for further consulting or legal services.
FAQ
Resources
Field Guide to WI School Policy
People who understand what policy is required and how policy is made are better able to envision and advocate for the approaches that will best serve their communities and their kids.