About the Webinar:
Having well-thought-out policies and procedures is critical to running a successful school. This presentation focused on ways to ensure a proactive approach rather than a reactive one in developing smart policies that make sense for the specific needs of your school.
Policies, Procedures, and Peace of Mind
Presenter:
- Kris Newman-Lake, Principal & CEO, Cypress Junction Montessori
- Braxton Padgett, Shareholder, Arnold Law Firm, Florida School Attorneys
- Emily Rodriguez, Associate, Arnold Law Firm, Florida School Attorneys
Date/Time: November 19, 2024
Conference: 2024 FL Charter School Conference
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Handouts / Slides:
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Session Summary
This presentation, "Policies, Procedures, and Peace of Mind," by Kris Newman-Lake, Braxton Padgett, and Emily Rodriguez, provides a comprehensive overview of the critical role of well-crafted policies and procedures in running a successful school. The session begins by emphasizing the importance of proactive policy development, highlighting the pitfalls of creating policies in reaction to crises or conflicts.
The presenters delve into various types of policies essential for schools, starting with governing board policies. They emphasize the importance of grievance procedures, outlining clear lines of communication and timelines for addressing conflicts. They also stress the need for robust school safety policies, including active assailant response plans, threat management protocols, and procedures for reporting child abuse and neglect.
The presentation then moves to student-specific policies, focusing on dress codes, dismissal procedures, and parent contracts. The presenters offer guidance on crafting gender-neutral dress codes, ensuring legally compliant dismissal policies, and developing parent contracts that outline expectations and responsibilities.
The session also addresses employee policies, highlighting the importance of progressive discipline policies, leave policies, and policies regarding employee conduct and ethics. The presenters emphasize the need for clear guidelines on disciplinary actions, leave procedures, and professional expectations.
The presentation concludes by emphasizing the importance of training staff on school policies and ensuring that everyone understands and follows them. The presenters also stress the need for regular review and updates to policies to ensure they remain relevant and effective.
Key takeaways for attendees: