How are policies organized?

Policies are organized using a classification system developed by the Educational Policies Service (EPS) of the National School Boards Association (NSBA). This system is copyrighted by the NSBA, and its use as a coding structure in local school districts is restricted to NSBA Direct Affiliates, EPS subscribers, and Oregon school districts that have a policy development contract with the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA).

Policies are grouped into the following sections:

• A/B – Board Governance & Operations
• C – General Administration
• D – Fiscal Management
• E – Support Services
• F – Facilities
• G – Personnel
• H – Negotiations*
• I – Instruction
• J – Students
• K/L – Community Relations

*Note: Because collective bargaining in Oregon is governed by state statute, Section H typically contains no policies.

Within each section, policies are arranged alphabetically, similar to a library catalog, with subheadings used to organize major policy areas.

Each policy is cross-referenced with applicable Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS), Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR), federal laws and regulations, and relevant case law to ensure legal alignment and clarity.

What is policy?

Board policies are formal statements that define the purpose and outline, in broad terms, the organization and operation of the school system. Policies provide a framework that guides the superintendent and staff in carrying out their responsibilities with clarity and direction. They communicate what is wanted.

Policy is:

• A guideline adopted by the Board to establish a course of action
• A statement of what is desired, or not desired
• Sometimes includes the rationale (“why”) or scope (“how much”)
• Broad enough to allow administrative flexibility, yet specific enough to provide clear guidance

Policy is not:

• Detailed procedural instructions
• Restatements or paraphrasing of state or federal law
• Forms, job descriptions, or other operational documents

Why is policy important?

Well-developed board policies are essential to the effective governance and operation of the school district. They serve multiple vital functions, including:

• Ensuring consistency, stability, and continuity in decision-making and operations
• Saving time and effort by reducing the need for repeated decisions on routine matters
• Providing clear direction for the superintendent, staff, students, and other stakeholders
• Keeping the public informed about district priorities, expectations, and procedures
• Establishing a legal foundation for board actions and maintaining an official record
• Supporting the orientation of new board members and staff by outlining established practices
• Creating a strong basis for evaluation and accountability
• Fulfilling legal requirements set by state and federal laws

What is an administrative regulation (AR)?

Administrative regulations are detailed procedures developed by the college president or superintendent to implement and support board policy. While policy defines what is to be done, administrative regulations explain how, by whom, where, and when.

An administrative regulation:

• Provides the specific details for implementing and enforcing policy
• Outlines clear requirements and expectations
• May include “do’s and don’ts” for compliance
• Often presents step-by-step procedures
• Assigns responsibilities to specific individuals or roles

Why is an administrative regulation important?

Administrative regulations play a critical role in translating board policy into effective day-to-day operations. They provide the necessary detail and direction for consistent implementation across the district.

An administrative regulation:

• Assigns the responsibility for implementing policy to staff, allowing the Board to focus on broader governance issues
• Gives the college president or superintendent flexibility to make timely adjustments for effective policy execution
• Outlines the detailed requirements, procedures, and prohibitions that guide district operations
• May fulfill state or federal requirements or serve as a key compliance indicator
• Informs staff, students, and the public about how policies are carried out in practice

How can you tell the difference between a policy and an administrative regulation?

Each policy and administrative regulation is assigned a specific code, found in the upper-right corner of the document’s first page. Administrative regulations are identified by an “-AR” suffix added to the policy code.

For example:

• ACA – This is a policy
• ACA-AR – This is the administrative regulation related to that policy

This coding system helps distinguish between broad policy statements and the detailed procedures used to implement them.

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