Policy Services
MSBA Policy Services gives districts access to the MSBA/MASA Model Policy Manual, a comprehensive legal guide to be used in the efficient management of all aspects of the school system.
The manual is a joint product of the Minnesota School Boards Association and the Minnesota Association of School Administrators. All model policies have been carefully examined by the law firm Ratwik, Rozak, and Maloney to insure compliance with federal and Minnesota laws.
Most school districts do not have the time and personnel to develop a comprehensive policy manual that includes policies, administrative regulations, and forms organized into helpful categories. In addition, school districts would require substantial legal assistance to develop policies on their own. A Model Policy Manual subscription is much more cost effective for school districts than policies developed and revised by their own legal counsel. For these and other reasons, more than 370 members subscribe to the MSBA/MASA Model Policy Manual.
Enrollment
Model Policy Manual subscribers must be MSBA members. The initial subscription cost for the MSBA/MASA Model Policy Manual is $2,000. Please be sure to include the designated contact person in your district.
If your district wishes to subscribe to MSBA Policy Services, please complete this application form and submit a payment of $2,000.
Renewal: Policy Services enrollment may be renewed at an annual cost for subsequent years. The current renewal rate is $750.
Contact
If you would like more information regarding Policy Services, please contact Terence Morrow, MSBA Director of Legal and Policy Services, via email at tmorrow@mnmsba.org.
Policy Services Links
Mandatory Policies
A number of school board policies are mandatory and are necessary to meet the requirements of state or federal law. State and federal agencies look for the mandatory school board policies during accreditation visits, financial audits, investigations and as contingencies prior to the release of funds. Access the Mandatory Policy list.
Annual Review Policies
A number of policies must be reviewed annually by the school board. Access the list of policies that must be reviewed annually.
MSBA Model Student Handbook
MSBA’s Model Student Handbook helps school districts provide information and required notices to students and parents or guardians. Access more information about the MSBA Model Student Handbook.
MSBA/MASA Policy Reference Manual
The full catalog of MSBA/MASA model policies, as well as revision history and redline versions. You must be a policy service subscriber to access this manual. Access the MSBA/MASA Policies.
Policy Audit
An MSBA Policy Audit may be a helpful step for Minnesota school districts seeking a comprehensive review of their current policies. MSBA will analyze your district’s policies and create an informative Audit Report setting forth suggested revisions and updates. In addition, MSBA will provide comments if questions arise. The MSBA Policy Audit fee is $1,200.
Policy Services Newsletter
Members of Policy Services receive Policy Services Newsletters providing updates on the latest policy developments. Access the latest edition of the Policy Services Newsletter.
When policy updates occur, MSBA provides editable redlines so districts can easily see what has changed. Access the most recent editable redlines under Policy Reference Manual in the Policy section of the Resource Library.
Council of School Attorneys (COSA)
MSBA’s Council of School Attorneys (COSA) is an organization of more than 60 Minnesota lawyers who represent school boards. COSA’s purpose is to develop and strengthen the legal representation of the state’s school boards. Learn more about COSA.