The school board establishes policy and the superintendent implements policy through various administrative regulations. The board, however, has another important leadership responsibility, which is to insure policy oversight. Oversight means watchful care, management, or supervision (Webster). It is a skill the board uses to evaluate the extent to which a policy achieves the board’s intent.
Two methods the school board can employ for policy oversight is, a) ask the superintendent or b) discuss the policy.
If the school board expects the superintendent to report on the implementation of a policy, then the board must be clear in what it expects from the superintendent. The board’s expectations might include requiring a statement of the original intent for the policy (why); timeline for implementation (when); action step(s) necessary to achieve the intended outcome (how); criteria for success for each action step (what); outcome achievement (measures); and accountability for implementation (who).
If the school board chooses to discuss the policy itself, then it should consider the following discussion questions and require more than a yes or no response: Does the policy achieve the board’s original intent? Should the board review or revise its intent? Should the policy be amended? Should the superintendent modify the administrative regulation? Do related policies impact this policy? Should the board schedule another discussion?
Another method for the school board to use to insure policy oversight is to establish a sunset date for a policy. When the board initially adopts a policy, it establishes a date when the policy will expire, perhaps a year or two ahead. This sunset date will raise the board’s awareness and require it to initiate the oversight process for possible continued implementation.
Policy oversight is an important school board responsibility. Effective oversight will usually respond to three basic questions: What does the board wish to the policy to achieve (intent)? How is the policy doing (outcome measures)? How does the board know (oversight process)?
School boards with little or no experience in policy oversight should seek training from a policy consultant or their local state school board association.
