As part of our series on the Eight Characteristics of Effective School Boards, we’re highlighting districts that bring these principles to life. This month, we’re focusing on the third characteristic: Policies. Effective school boards are accountability-driven, spending less time on day-to-day operations and more on policies that improve student success.

Lawrence Public Schools has fully embraced this approach. The board and leadership team work hand-in-hand to develop policies rooted in the district’s values and top priorities.

“Strong policy is born in our core values,” said Dr. Jeanice Swift, Lawrence Interim Superintendent 
These policies are intentionally designed to align with the district’s goals around equity and creating a supportive learning environment, according to Bob Byers, a Lawrence School Board Member.

“What we in Lawrence Public Schools try to do is to drive our policy off of our goals and our priorities, so that what we’re usually about is equity, supporting the learning environment. And so, a lot of our policies are driven by that,” Byers explained.

Lawrence’s student-centered, data-driven approach ensures clear expectations for students while guiding educators. “It helps us know the different expectations for our students. It helps guide us as educators moving forward,” said Lori Greenfield, a third-grade teacher at Prairie Park Elementary.

Lawrence’s process for developing policies is deliberate, with plenty of research, community input, and refinement along the way. “If you’re going to write good policy, you have to slow down,” said Kelly Jones, Board President.

“The process that we use—research, input and multiple meetings before a policy draft reaches the board for a first read—is extensive. It allows us to tie the policy to the emotion of the moment, then refine it into something that can last beyond those feelings,” Jones shared.

This thoughtful approach builds a strong partnership between the board and district leadership. 

“I love the yin and the yang of policymaking,” said Dr. Swift. “It really is about a board leading through policy setting, and then a superintendent and a full district team working to enact that policy through guidance.”

In Lawrence, policymaking is a team effort that includes input from staff and the community. “Our whole board doesn’t necessarily write policy. We have a board committee that drafts policies, which are then reviewed by the full board through a three-step process. This gives the staff and community time to discuss, digest and offer opinions before the board acts,” Byer said.

This collaborative process ensures that policies are well-rounded and widely supported. “Hopefully nobody is specifically leading or championing a policy without buy-in from others,” said Jones. “When you involve people in policymaking, you honor their experiences and knowledge while building consensus.”

Clear, well-thought-out policies give principals and educators the tools they need to lead with confidence. “Good policies help principals lead their campuses with clarity and accountability,” said Dr. Waymond Ervin, Director of Secondary Schools. “They can rely on these policies when working with teachers and the community to move their campuses forward.”
Teachers and support staff play an important role in turning policies into action. “Educators are the key to seeing where the policy fits within the schools. How does it impact the students' success? That is ultimately our goal,” Greenfield added.

Lawrence’s focus on accountability includes regularly reviewing and refining policies. “A policy is only as good as how it is implemented,” noted Jones. “If KASB provides us a model, we review it to see if it’s a good match for us. Even when we align with the recommendations, we make sure the people impacted by the policy can review it.”
By prioritizing policies that improve student achievement and ensuring they’re effectively implemented, Lawrence Public Schools shows what accountability-driven, board-led governance can accomplish. 

Want to see more examples of how Kansas school districts are bringing the Eight Characteristics of Effective School Boards to life? Explore other district stories in this series:

• The 8 Characteristics of Effective Boards: An Overview
• Haysville's Vision Gets Community Buy-in
• Strong Values in Silver Lake Drive Student Success
• Collaboration Helps Rawlins County During Challenging Times
• Looking for Better Results, Burlingame Digs Into Data
• Focusing on People, Dodge City Aligns Goals and Resources