Introduction The policy sections outlined below contain the governance and school district policies of the Fort Zumwalt Board of Education and the major administrative procedures and forms intended to implement the policies.

Policy development in a modern, forward-looking school district is a dynamic, ongoing process. New problems, issues and needs give rise to the continuing obligation to develop additional  policies or to revise existing ones. As individual policy areas change, those updates are posted for access via the website and policy manuals.

How to Use Policy Manuals and Resources The Fort Zumwalt School District operates according to policies established by the Board of Education. The Board, which represents the state and local community, develops the policies after careful deliberation, and the school administration implements them through specific procedures and forms. The Board also routinely reviews the effects of its policies and makes revisions as necessary.

In the interest of harmony, efficiency, uniformity of interpretation, coordination of effort, and in fairness to all concerned, the Board makes policy resources available to all who are affected by its policies and procedures.

How The Manuals Are Organized The manuals are organized according to MSBA's modified coding system of the National School Boards Association (NSBA). Because the system is designed to accommodate the needs of all 50 states, NSBA material contains a Section H related to negotiations. Since Missouri is a non-bargaining state, this section does not apply to the districts MSBA serves and is therefore not included in the manual. The system provides an efficient means of coding, filing and finding policies, administrative procedures and other related documents.

Eleven major classifications, each bearing an alphabetical code, are utilized in the MSBA Classification System. The 11 major classifications are:

Subclassifications under each heading are based on a logical sequence and alphabetical sub coding. For example, policy CB is used for a general policy statement regarding the school  superintendent. Policy CBA relates to the more specific topic of qualifications and duties of the superintendent. Policy CBA, therefore, is a sub code of CB, and CB is the "superior" code of CBA. Clicking any of the links above will take you directly to that section of our district policy.

Understanding the Terminology Various signs and symbols are used in connection with the policy classification system. They are for use in locating and/or examining policies. Included in the signs and symbols are the following:

-R = Regulation: This symbol following a file code indicates that the statement is a major administrative regulation, not a Board policy. Most often only a very few  regulations are found. Regulations are step-by-step processes, however different from administrative procedures because they require Board adoption and contain legal material necessitating their placement in the policy binder.

-AP = Administrative Procedure: This symbol following a code identifies material of a procedural nature. This type of information is necessary for implementation of policy, such as guidelines, steps, etc.

-AF = Administrative Form: This symbol following a code indicates that the document is an exhibit or reference document, such as a calendar, application form, etc., rather than a policy.

Dates: Where possible the original and revised dates of adoption/approval appear immediately following each policy/procedure. In other instances an approximate date or reapproval date is used.

Cross Refs: Certain policies/procedures relate to others. Cross references are provided following many statements to help the reader find the related information one may seek.

Legal Refs: Pertinent legal references are given to tell the reader where one may find certain federal and/or state statutes that relate to a policy. Unless otherwise noted, all references direct the reader to the Missouri Revised Statutes. It is important  to mention that additional laws and/or court decisions may also be applicable to a particular policy.

About Board Policies Generally, the role of a Board of  Education is to set policy and the role of the administration is to execute it. The basic definitions of policies and procedures, as set forth by the National School Boards Association, are as follows:

Policies are principles adopted by the Board to chart a course of action and expectations. They are broad enough to indicate a line of action to be taken by the administration in meeting a number of day-to-day  problems; however, they need to be narrow enough to give the administration clear guidance.

Regulations/Administrative Procedures are the detailed directions developed by the administration to put a policy into practice. They tell, how, by whom, where, and when tasks are to be accomplished.

These definitions are serviceable most of the time. They reflect sound theory of governance and  administration. But the real world does not always conform. For example: As long as the administration operates within the guidelines of a general policy adopted by the Board, it may change administrative procedures without prior approval of the  Board -- unless the Board has specifically asked for Board approval prior to changing a specific regulation. However, only the Board may adopt new policies or revise old ones.    

Order of  Precedence  Board of Education policies and administrative procedures must be read and interpreted in the light of the Federal and Missouri State Board of Education/Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regulations. Wherever inconsistencies of interpretation arise, the federal and state laws and regulations shall prevail.

It is the hope of the Board of Education of the Fort Zumwalt School District that this collection of policies, procedures and forms will provide for greater clarity, consistency, and efficiency in all areas of school operations. This will enable the Board to devote more time to its primary duty -- the development of long-range policies and planning for the future of the school district.