Policy Services
MSBA Policy Services gives school districts and charter schools 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 MSBA/MASA Policy Manual is a joint product of the Minnesota School Boards Association and the Minnesota Association of School Administrators. Model policies are carefully examined by the Ratwik, Rozak, and Maloney law firm to insure compliance with federal and Minnesota laws.
Most school districts and charter schools 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 and charter schools would require substantial legal assistance to develop policies on their own. A Model Policy Manual subscription is much more cost effective for school districts and charter schools than policies developed and revised by their own legal counsel. For these and other reasons, more than 370 MSBA members subscribe to the MSBA/MASA Model Policy Manual.
Enrollment
Model Policy Manual subscribers must be MSBA members or associate members.
If your district or charter school wishes to subscribe to MSBA Policy Services, please complete this application form.
Renewal: Policy Services enrollment may be renewed at an annual cost for subsequent years.
Contact
If you would like more information regarding Policy Services, please contact Terence Morrow, MSBA General Counsel, via email at tmorrow@mnmsba.org.
Policy Services Links
Mandatory, Legal Requirements, and Recommended Policies
Federal or Minnesota law mandates that school boards must adopt a designated set of school district policies (Mandatory Policies). State and federal agencies look for the mandatory school district policies during accreditation visits, financial audits, investigations and as contingencies prior to the release of funds.
In addition, MSBA provides policies that incorporate federal or state legal requirements that school districts and/or charter schools must follow (Legal Requirements Policies). Third, MSBA provides policies that blend legal provisions with best practices (Recommended Policies).
Access the MSBA ISD Mandatory, Legal Requirements, and Recommended Policies Chart
Access the MSBA Charter School Mandatory, Legal Requirements, and Recommended Policies Chart
Annual Review Policies and Annual Requirements
Under Minnesota law, three MSBA Model Policies (506, 722, and 806) must be reviewed annually by the school board.
In addition, some MSBA Model Policies set forth annual obligations that Minnesota schools must fulfill to remain legally compliant. Access a list of these model policies and the annual obligations here.
MSBA Model Student Handbook
MSBA’s Model Student Handbook helps school districts provide information and required notices to students and parents or guardians. Access information here about signing up for the MSBA Model Student Handbook.
The 2026-2027 Model Student Handbook is available now! (Click on the link above.)
Minnesota law requires that the following be in a student handbook:
- Bullying Prohibition Policy
- Hazing Policy
- Malicious and Sadistic Conduct (embedded in MSBA’s Bullying Prohibition Policy)
- MDE Statewide Assessment Form
- Violence and Harassment Policy
- Pesticide Notice (must be in student handbook or official school policy guide)
- Pledge of Allegiance statement (must be in student handbook)
- Suicide Prevention Contact Information
The student handbook is an approved means of providing notice of
- Criminal Background Check information
- Lead in Drinking Water
For other required notices, school districts and charter schools can refer to the MSBA Annual Mandatory Parents Notifications chart. The MSBA Model Student Handbook incorporates a number of policies and other items as a means of providing the required notices. Schools may choose to provide notices in a method other than a student handbook if the law permits options (please see the Notifications chart).
MSBA/MASA Model Policy Manual
The full catalog of MSBA/MASA model policies, as well as revision history and redline versions. A school district or charter school 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 and charter schools seeking a comprehensive review of current policies. MSBA will analyze the existing policies and create an informative Audit Report setting forth suggested revisions and updates. In addition, MSBA will provide comments if questions arise. Please contact Terry Morrow (tmorrow@mnmsba.org) if you would like more information about a policy audit.
Policy Services Newsletter
Members of Policy Services receive Policy Services Newsletters providing updates on the latest policy developments. Access the latest editions of the Policy Services Newsletter.
When policy updates occur, MSBA provides editable redlines so districts and charter schools can easily see what has changed. Access the most recent editable redlines under Policy 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 here.
The National School Attorneys Association (NSAA) is a grassroots, independent, and self-governed network of school attorneys from across the country. NSAA brings together legal professionals who advocate for public schools, offering meaningful connection, collaboration, and support. Through regular webinars, discussions, and timely updates, NSAA keeps members informed and engaged with the ever-evolving legal landscape affecting public schools. Learn more about NSAA here.
The National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys (COSA) supports attorneys representing K-12 public school districts and state school boards associations. The work of the Council is widely respected and a resource for school board attorneys and state association counsel across the country. COSA provides a national forum for the discussion of legal issues and problems encountered by school attorneys in providing legal counsel, advice, and representation to public school boards and state school boards associations. It also promotes and helps develop a closer relationship and better understanding between school attorneys and their clients, school boards, and school boards associations. More information can be found here.