The Board of Education has two primary responsibilities: hiring and evaluating the Superintendent; and to develop and monitor policy. The Associate Superintendent works with the Board Policy Committee to adopt, review, and/or revise policy that governs the education process and operational procedures. Policies are recommended by the Board Policy Committee to the Board for approval at each Board meeting. Most policy is mandated by legislation and other policies are practices and procedures that govern the educational system to ensure a safe, orderly, learning environment for staff, students, and patrons.

Grand Island Public Schools policies are organized by number. 

All district policies may be accessed through the Board Policies window at the top of this page. The window also has a "search" function where you may search through GIPS Policies by keyword or topic. 

POLICIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

The role of the Board of Education is to establish a philosophy or direction of the district through policies. The role of administration is to implement those policies through a system of administrative procedures. According to the National School Boards Association, policies are principles adopted by the Board to chart a course of action. They tell what the Board wants to happen and explain why it should happen. They are broad enough to indicate a line of action to be taken in meeting a variety of day-to-day situations, but they are narrow enough to give administrative guidance.

Administrative procedures are detailed directions developed by administration to put policies into practice. Policies are therefore actions of the board, while administrative procedures are actions of administration used to implement actions of the Board. Policies may contain sufficient directions as to not warrant any further administrative procedure. Administrative procedures do not, however, exist without a policy–the only purpose is to implement a specific policy.

Although policies are generally to impart a direction and philosophy, many situations exist where the implementation, usually reserved for administrative procedures, will actually be contained in the policy. State and federal regulations often require development of detailed procedures in policy. Policies involving discipline, due process, and sometimes special education may fall into this category.
Occasionally, the Board may determine that it is in the best interest to expand on specific procedures within policy, particularly when a sensitive issue is involved.

Changing statutes, regulations, needs, and philosophies dictate that School Board policies be frequently modified and updated. The Grand Island Board of Education endeavors to insure compliance with statutes and regulations through a standing committee of the Board. However, the scope and magnitude of updating policy makes complete day-to-day compliance impractical. Each policy is followed by an "adopted" or "revised" date. Compliance is assured only by statutes and regulations issued prior to that date.

QUESTIONS

If you have questions about Board of Education procedures or district policies, please reach out to the District Office at 308.385.5900 or communications@gips.org.