2000 Administration
2000 - Mission & Beliefs (6/30/09) BACK TO TOP
The mission of the Ann Arbor Public Schools, a world-class system of innovative teaching and learning, is to ensure each student realizes his or her aspirations while advancing the common good through a community dynamic distinguished by:
• Personalized learning that is curiosity driven, student directed, teacher inspired
• Challenging and provocative curriculum
• Individualized and group creative expression
• The nurturing of the human spirit
• Culturally congruent instruction
• Forging alliances with families and communities
We believe that...
…heritage shapes individual identity.
…all people have the right to learn without limits.
…a person’s achievement can not be predetermined.
…we are strongest when working together.
…everyone can make a valuable contribution to society.
…environmental stewardship is our moral obligation.
…the dignity of each person deserves respect.
…racism is destructive.
…communication leads to understanding, understanding fosters relationships, and community is built on those relationships.
…we first create in ourselves what we seek to create in the world.
…all people deserve to live in a healthy, safe environment.
…diversity enriches a community.
…individual potential deserves fulfillment.
…all people have the innate desire for creative expression
2000.R.01 - Mission & Core Values BACK TO TOP
1 Purpose
1.1 To provide guidelines for the cooperative education and empowerment of every student to succeed in a changing environment as a responsible participant in a democratic society.
2 Organizational Units Affected
2.1 All staff
3 Definitions
3.1 AAPS: Ann Arbor Public Schools
4 Background Information
4.1 AAPS Board of Education and administration are committed to maintaining high expectations for all students and staff.
4.2 It is the implicit responsibility of all AAPS staff to assist students in succeeding in an academic environment, to collaborate with parents/guardians to help achieve this goal, to provide equitable access to opportunities and resources for students, and to act in a professional manner at all times.
5 Procedures
5.1 Staff shall put the needs of students’ educational and social needs first in all decisions and actions.
5.2 Staff shall make responsible efforts to value and treat students as individuals.
5.3 Staff shall welcome parent/guardian involvement in the education of their children and commit to working closely with parents/guardians and the greater community by facilitating open, inclusive communication.
5.4 Staff shall make consistent and responsible efforts to practice and encourage mutual respect among students, staff, parents, and community members.
5.5 Staff shall make consistent and responsible efforts to encourage and support students to become responsible, independent, lifelong learners by maintaining a safe and orderly school environment.
6 Work Instructions, Templates, & Samples
7 Training & Feedback
7.1 Facilitation help shall be made available, as required, through the Superintendent’s office or the Office of Professional Growth and Development.
8 Implementation, Compliance & Assessment
2050 - Non-Discrimination (6/30/09) BACK TO TOP
No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any educational program or activity available in any school on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, creed, political belief, age, national origin, linguistic and language differences, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, socioeconomic status, height, weight, marital or familial status, or disability.
2100 - Superintendent (6/30/09) BACK TO TOP
The Superintendent shall be the chief administrator of the district and shall have, under the direction of the board, general supervision and authority over all of the schools and personnel of the district. The Superintendent is responsible for the management of the schools under board policies and is accountable to the board.
The Superintendent, at his/her discretion, may delegate to other school personnel the exercise of any powers and the discharge of any duties imposed upon the Superintendent by these policies or by vote of the board. The delegation of power or duty, however, shall not relieve the Superintendent of responsibility for the action taken under such delegation.
2100.R.01 - Superintendent BACK TO TOP
1. Purpose
1.1. To enable effective oversight and management of the district by ensuring clear lines of communication and understanding of roles and responsibilities
1.2. To increase a sense of ownership and establish accountability at all levels of the organization
2. Organizational Units Affected
2.1. All staff
3. Definitions
3.1. Accountability: Clearly understood roles, responsibilities, and ownership of both processes and results throughout all levels of an organization
3.2. Open Door policy: Invitation for employees to discuss with management any items of concern without fear of reprisal
3.3. AAPS: Ann Arbor Public Schools
4. Background Information
4.1. The more effectively AAPS handles “the business” of running a school district, the more resources, focus and energy will be available for learning opportunities.
4.2. Human Resources employment regulations, position descriptions, various contract provisions shall be available for inspection.
5 Procedures
5.1 The Superintendent shall organize a staff, delegate duties and authority, and supervise such delegated tasks and the individuals to whom authority has been assigned.
5.2 All staff shall assist in establishing and maintaining an environment of accountability and continued improvement.
5.3 District employees in supervisory positions shall have an Open Door policy, and employees may use meetings to discuss roles, responsibilities and opportunities related to the district’s operations.
5.4 The Superintendent shall designate an employee who shall develop and maintain organizational charts that clearly identify the reporting hierarchy and employee names and titles.
6 Work Instructions, Templates, & Samples
6.1 Organizational charts
7 Training & Feedback
7.1 Facilitation help shall be made available as required through the Superintendent’s office or the Office of Professional Growth and Development.
8 Implementation, Compliance & Assessment
2120 - Superintendent Contracting Authority (6/30/09) BACK TO TOP
To facilitate efficient and effective day-to-day administration of the district, the board delegates to the Superintendent the authority to enter into and execute Administrative Contracts on behalf of the district. Administrative Contracts shall include any contract, agreement, memoranda of understanding or such other document which purports to legally bind the district (collectively, “Contract”) as necessary or appropriate for district operations which is:
1. Not a Board-Reserved Contract as set forth below;
2. For a term of one (1) year or less;
3. At no cost to the district; or
4. Where expenditures required by or under the Contract were included in the budget approved by the board for the fiscal year in which the expenditures would occur.
Those Contracts reserved to the Board for approval (“Board-Reserved Contracts”) include any:
• Collective bargaining agreement;
• Contract for the purchase, sale or lease of real property by or on behalf of the district;
• Cabinet-level employment contracts;
• Contractual adjustments in compensation or benefits affecting an entire class of employees (e.g., 03, 09 employee class);
• Contract reasonably projected to require an expenditure, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $100,000 in any district fiscal year;
• Contract required or related to public financing of district property through bonds, or any other debt instrument, including any indenture, loan agreement, note, security agreement or other financing agreement;
• Contract for the investment of district debt retirement funds, building and site funds, building and site sinking funds, or general funds of the district;
• Contract for settlement of a grievance or an arbitration to which the district is a party which exceeds $20,000; and
• Other contracts which require board approval under the Michigan Revised School Code, or such other local, state or federal law.
The Superintendent shall supervise the preparation of bid proposals and the selection of contractors and shall ensure that the District’s construction and renovation projects use high quality materials, equipment and workers commensurate with exemplary business practices and the wise use of public funds.
The Superintendent should refuse to recommend, and the School Board can refuse to hire, any contractor who does not meet the requirements of this policy.
The Superintendent shall be responsible for compliance with any and all competitive bidding and procurement requirements and policies applicable to the district with respect to all Administrative Contracts and Board-Reserved Contracts.
From the period of notification of the Superintendent’s resignation until the appointment of a permanent replacement, all contracts requiring the Superintendent’s signature shall also require the signature of the Board President or his/her board designee.
2120.R.01 - Superintendent Contracting Authority BACK TO TOP
1 Purpose
1.1 To provide guidelines under which the Superintendent may enter into and execute Administrative Contracts
2 Organizational Units Affected
2.1 Superintendent
3 Definitions
3.1 AAPS: Ann Arbor Public Schools
3.2 Administrative Contracts: includes, but is not limited to, any contract, agreement, memoranda of understanding or such other document which purports to legally bind the district.
3.3 Board: Board of Education
3.4 Board-Reserved Contracts: any contract, agreement, memoranda of understanding or such other document which purports to legally bind the district that requires Board approval.
4 Background Information
4.1 The Superintendent is granted limited authority to enter into Administrative Contracts deemed necessary and/or appropriate for AAPS operations as outlined in 5.1.
5 Procedures
5.1 The Superintendent shall be authorized to enter into and execute Administrative Contracts on behalf of the district that:
5.1.1 are not a Board-Reserved Contract as outlined in 5.2
5.1.2 are for a term of one year or less
5.1.3 are at no cost to the district
5.1.4 entail costs that have been approved in the district’s operating budget for the fiscal year in which the expenditure shall occur
5.2 Board approval is required for certain contracts, which shall be classified as Board-Reserved Contracts. These contracts may include, but shall not be limited to:
5.2.1 collective bargaining agreement(s)
5.2.2 contract(s) for the purchase, sale or lease of real property by or on behalf of the district
5.2.3 cabinet-level employment contract(s)
5.2.4 contractual adjustment(s) in compensation or benefits affecting an entire class of employees
5.2.5 contract(s) reasonably projected to require an expenditure, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $100,000 in any district fiscal year
5.2.6 contract(s) required or related to public financing of district property through bonds, or any other debt instrument, including any indenture, loan agreement, note, security agreement or other financing agreement
5.2.7 contract(s) for the investment of district debt retirement funds, building and site funds, building and site sinking funds, or general funds of the district
5.2.8 contract(s) for settlement(s) of a grievance or an arbitration to which the district is a party which exceed(s) $20,000
5.2.9 other contracts which require Board approval under the Michigan Revised School Code, or such other applicable local, state or federal law
5.3 The Superintendent shall supervise the preparation of bid proposals and the selection of contractors.
5.3.1 The Superintendent shall be responsible for compliance with any and all competitive bidding and procurement requirements and policies applicable to the district with respect to all Administrative Contracts and Board-Reserved Contracts.
5.4 The Superintendent and his or her designee(s) shall ensure that the district’s construction and renovation projects use high quality materials, equipment and workers commensurate with exemplary business practices and the wise use of public funds.
5.5 The Superintendent should refuse to recommend any contractor who does not meet the requirements of this policy, and the Board can refuse to hire any contractor who does not meet the requirements of this policy.
5.6 From the period of notification of the Superintendent’s resignation until the appointment of a permanent replacement, all contracts requiring the Superintendent’s signature shall also require the signature of the Board President or his/her board designee.
6 Work Instructions, Templates, & Samples
7 Training & Feedback
8 Implementation, Compliance & Assessment
2200 - Administrative Policy & Regulation (6/30/09) BACK TO TOP
The board delegates to the Superintendent the authority to establish administrative policies, regulations, and procedures for the district as necessary to implement board policy, to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal law, and to otherwise provide for sound management of the district and its educational program.
The Superintendent shall notify the board of any and all changes and reauthorizations of administrative policy, regulation, or procedure that affects the central administration, the district as a whole, or a full instructional division (elementary, middle, or high school). Such notice shall be provided at least 30 days prior to the effective date of the change or reauthorization.
In response to a change in board policy, the Superintendent shall report to the board within 60 days, providing either administrative programs, policies, regulations, or procedures for implementation of the board policy, or a timeline/plan for developing these.
Administrative policy, regulation, and procedure established under this policy be reviewed according to the policy review schedule, Policy 1520.
2200.R.01 - Administrative Policy & Regulation BACK TO TOP
1 Purpose
1.1 To manage the implementation of Board of Education policy and ongoing compliance with local, state, and federal law
1.2 To ensure regulations serve to stabilize the Ann Arbor Public Schools operating infrastructure, yet enable new ideas and process improvements to emerge
2. Organizational Units Affected
2.1 All staff
3. Definitions
3.1 AAPS: Ann Arbor Public Schools
3.2 Policy: document provided as an overall guideline for operation adopted by the Board of Education
3.3 Procedure: detailed, step-by-step process description for use at the building/department level
3.4 Regulation: document to implement Board policy which provides more in-depth information and detail
4. Background Information
5. Procedures
5.1 The Superintendent shall manage the development of the regulations and procedures needed to implement Board policy, encouraging broad communication of proposed changes, opportunity for feedback before implementation, and timely progress reports to the Board.
5.2 The Superintendent shall identify specific members of district staff to be responsible for ensuring the district has adequate knowledge of both pending and new legislation related to public schools.
5.3 Resources shall be allocated by the Superintendent to ensure compliance, relevance, and continued refinement of district regulations.
6. Work Instructions, Templates, & Samples
6.1 Comprehensive information is available at the State of Michigan web site
6.2 Additional information is available through
• Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB)
• U.S. Department of Education
• No Child Left Behind policies
7 Training & Feedback
7.1 District policy and regulation overviews for staff, community, students, parents, and new family orientations are to be published as needed.
8 Implementation, Compliance & Assessment
8.1 All employees are expected to comply with all regulations.
2220 - Policy & Procedure Dissemination (6/30/09) BACK TO TOP
The Superintendent shall provide a system ensuring the maintenance of board and administrative policies, regulations, and procedures in a timely and efficient manner.
The Superintendent shall provide a system for the dissemination of current board and administrative policies, regulations, and procedures to relevant or interested district employees, families, students, and community members. The dissemination system shall include education and training where necessary to ensure understanding of and compliance with the policies, regulations, or procedures.
2220.R.01 - Policy & Regulation Dissemination BACK TO TOP
1. Purpose
1.1. To provide staff and the community with access to the policies, regulations and procedures currently in effect for the district
1.2. To securely store and control the ability to modify the policy and regulation files, and to ensure changes are recorded, approved, and subsequently made available to all for reference
2. Organizational Units Affected
2.1. All staff
2.2. Board of Education
3. Definitions
3.1. AAPS: Ann Arbor Public Schools
3.2. ITD: Instructional Technology Department
4. Background Information
4.1. The proliferation of multiple but not identical copies of policy and regulations has occurred over the years. With the implementation of the new policy and regulations, the only legitimate source will be the copy displayed on the district web site.
5. Procedures
5.1. A master/control copy is to be kept for every AAPS policy and regulation. Each master file shall be kept on a network that offers limited access for updates. The master file shall be used to create the online version used for display on the district web site.
5.2. The network shall be backed up on a regular basis by the ITD in accordance with ITD policies and procedure (once per day/once per week), with monthly and yearly backups also created.
5.3. The Executive Secretary for the Board (primary) and Superintendent (secondary) shall have responsibility for managing access to the master files.
5.4. Previous versions of policies and regulations shall be kept for archival purposes.
5.5. Policy documents shall only be created, updated, or deleted by request of the Board of Education. Regulation documents shall only be created, updated or deleted as needed by the appropriate department head. All regulations must be approved by the Superintendent prior to their taking effect.
5.6. The naming convention for policy and regulation files shall be as follows: Policies: PolicyNumber.PolicyName (abbreviated). Version Number.RevisionNumber.doc (e.g.: 1000.Bylaws.V1R1.doc)
5.6.1. Regulations: Regulation Number. RegName (abbreviated).VersionNumber.RevisionNumber.doc (e.g.: 2220.R.01.PolRegDiss.V1R1.doc)
5.6.2. The version number shall be updated after each review if/when changes are made to policies and/or regulations. Version numbers for updated policies and regulations shall follow the established convention as described in 5.6. As documents are adopted, the date of adoption will be noted in the footer of the policy and in the header of the regulation.
5.6.3. Drafts of policies shall be labeled “draft” and made available for viewing and comment before adoption, and approved documents shall be published within 5 working days of policies adopted by the Board.
5.6.4. Updated and/or new regulations shall be distributed from the Superintendent’s office within 5 days of adoption.
6. Work Instructions, Templates, & Samples
7. Training & Feedback
8. Implementation, Compliance & Assessment
8.1. District policies and regulations shall be made available on the district’s web site and in hard copy at the Board of Education office.
2300 - Administrative Organization (6/30/09) BACK TO TOP
The Superintendent is authorized to establish and modify the administrative organization of the district, including but not limited to the job description of administrative positions, the tasks and responsibilities assigned to administrators, the functions of departments and the placement of personnel, subject to the limitations of the board-adopted budget, board policy, and board-approved employment contracts.
The board shall be notified at least 30 days prior to any substantive change in district administrative organization, and shall be provided with a revised organizational chart.
2300.R.01 - Administrative Organization BACK TO TOP
1. Purpose
1.1. To provide guidelines for the maintenance of or change in the AAPS administration organization
2. Organizational Units Affected
2.1. Administrative staff
2.2. Superintendent
3. Definitions
3.1. AAPS: Ann Arbor Public Schools
3.2. Board: Board of Education
4. Background Information
5 Procedures
5.1 The Superintendent shall establish an administrative organization to carry out the mission of the AAPS.
5.2 The Superintendent shall create, or supervise the creation of, job descriptions, including clear statements of tasks and responsibilities, for each administrative position.
5.3 The Superintendent shall create, or supervise the creation of, departmental descriptions, including clear statements of tasks and responsibilities, for each department.
5.4 The Superintendent shall create, or cause to be created, policies for the appropriate placement of AAPS staff.
5.4.1 The assignment of staff to any position is subject to Board policy, budget limits, and Board-approved employment contracts.
5.5 The Superintendent shall consult with the Board at least 30 days prior to implementing any substantive change in the AAPS administration.
5.5.1 No changes shall be made without Board approval.
5.5.2 The Superintendent shall provide an organizational chart indicating the revisions to be made.
5.6 Following Board approval of the revised administration organization, the Superintendent shall provide a revised organizational chart to the Board.
6 Work Instructions, Templates, & Samples
6.1 Organizational charts
7 Training & Feedback
8 Implementation, Compliance & Assessment
2310 - Administrative Hiring (6/30/09) BACK TO TOP
The board delegates to the Superintendent all responsibility for recruiting, screening, and hiring administrative personnel, with the exception of central office administrators which are not part of a collective bargaining agreement. The Superintendent shall have in place a system for performing this function, which shall make every effort to ensure the best and most qualified educational leaders are hired.
The Superintendent shall recruit, screen, and recommend to the board on a timely basis person(s) to fill central office administrative openings that are not part of a collective bargaining agreement. The Superintendent shall provide the board with a job description and proposed contract for the position, along with information on the qualifications, experience, and method of selection of the recommended candidate. When necessary for the proper functioning of the district, the Superintendent may hire a candidate for a position on a provisional/temporary basis pending approval by the board.
2310.R.01 Administrative Hiring BACK TO TOP
1. Purpose
1.1. To provide guidelines for the hiring of administrative personnel
2. Organizational Units Affected
2.1. Administrative staff
2.2. Superintendent
3. Definitions
3.1. AAPS: Ann Arbor Public Schools
4. Background Information
4.1. The Superintendent has the authority and responsibility to recruit, screen and hire administrative personnel, with the exception of central office administrators who are not subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
5 Procedures
5.1 The Superintendent shall establish and maintain a system for equitable hiring practices.
5.1.1 The mission of the system is to locate and hire the best and most qualified educational leaders.
5.1.2 All recruiting, screening and hiring procedures shall conform to all current applicable federal and State of Michigan laws and regulations.
5.2 The Superintendent shall recruit, screen and recommend to the Board of Education individual(s) to fill central administrative positions that are not subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
5.2.1 The Superintendent may, at his or her discretion, delegate portions of the recruiting and screening process to other individuals and/or departments.
5.3 As part of the recommendation process, the Superintendent shall provide the Board of Education with a comprehensive job description of the position to be filled, the qualifications experience and method of selection of the recommended candidate, and a proposed contract for the position.
5.4 No candidate shall be hired prior to Board of Education approval, except that when necessary for the proper functioning of the district, the Superintendent may hire a candidate for a position on a provisional/temporary basis pending approval by the Board of Education.
5.4.1 The Board of Education must approve the hiring before the temporary/interim designation can be removed.
6 Work Instructions, Templates, & Samples
6.1 Organizational charts
7 Training & Feedback
7.1 Facilitation help shall be made available as required through the Superintendent’s office or the Office of Professional Growth and Development.
8 Implementation, Compliance & Assessment
2320 - Evaluation of Administrators (6/30/09) BACK TO TOP
All administrative personnel shall be evaluated at least annually in writing by their immediate supervisor. If an administrator's immediate supervisor is not the Superintendent, the written evaluation shall be given to the Superintendent, who may add his/her own evaluation.
The Superintendent shall notify the board of any evaluations which may require employment action, and any which show exemplary performance, prior to the regular board meeting in April.
The Superintendent is authorized to suspend an administrator for cause, pending review and action of the board.
2320.R.01 - Evaluation of Administrators BACK TO TOP
1. Purpose
1.1. To provide guidelines for the official evaluation of administrators
2. Organizational Units Affected
2.1. Superintendent
2.2. Administrative staff
2.3. Human Resource Services
3. Definitions
3.1. AAPS: Ann Arbor Public Schools
3.2. Board: Board of Education
4. Background Information
4.1. It is the goal of the AAPS to facilitate and conduct annual reviews to help improve performance.
5 Procedures
5.1 All administrative staff shall have their performance evaluated in writing at least once a year by their supervisor.
5.2 If an administrator is not supervised directly by the Superintendent, the employee’s immediate supervisor shall conduct the evaluation.
5.2.1 The evaluation shall then be forwarded to the Superintendent, who at his or her discretion, may add his or her own evaluation.
5.2.2 The employee shall be informed of the additional evaluation by his or her immediate superior.
5.3 In the event an employee’s evaluation requires employment action, the Superintendent shall so inform the Board prior to a regular Board meeting in April.
5.3.1 In the event an employee’s evaluation shows exemplary performance, the Superintendent shall so inform the Board prior to a regular Board meeting in April.
5.4 As and if the Superintendent deems necessary, the Superintendent is authorized by the Board to suspend an administrator for cause, pending review and action by the Board.
5.4.1 The employee shall have the right to contest the suspension to the Superintendent; however, the decision of the Superintendent shall be final, pending review and action by the Board.
6 Work Instructions, Templates, & Samples
6.1 Organizational charts
7 Training & Feedback
7.1 Facilitation help shall be made available as required through the Superintendent’s office, Human Resource Services, or the Office of Professional Growth and Development.
8 Implementation, Compliance & Assessment
2400 - Administrative Committees (6/30/09) BACK TO TOP
The Superintendent may establish or dissolve administrative committee(s) to provide input into particular areas of district planning or operations. Members of the committee shall be chosen by and serve at the discretion of the Superintendent. All such committees shall be strictly advisory in nature. All committees shall report to a specific district employee designated by the Superintendent, who shall serve as that committee’s chair.
The chair of each committee shall be responsible for ensuring the proper conduct of the committee and its members consistent with board and administrative policy, regulations, and procedure, and shall ensure appropriate controls on the release of confidential documents or information.
Board members generally shall not serve on administrative committees; however, the Superintendent may choose to appoint no more than two board members to a given committee if it is deemed appropriate. Board members serving on administrative committees shall conduct themselves as regular committee members under the direction of the committee chair.
Absent reauthorization, committees established under this policy shall expire and cease operations on June 30 of the calendar year following their creation or reauthorization. The Superintendent shall annually notify the board of the current district-level administrative committees, their chairs, and the nature of their advisory responsibility.
2400.R.01 - Administrative Committees BACK TO TOP
1. Purpose
1.1. To provide guidelines for the establishment of administrative advisory committees
2. Organizational Units Affected
2.1. Superintendent
3. Definitions
3.1. AAPS: Ann Arbor Public Schools
3.2. Board: Board of Education
4. Background Information
5 Procedures
5.1 The Superintendent shall, at his or her discretion, create an administrative committee to provide ideas, suggestions and general input into areas relating to district planning and/or operations.
5.1.1 The role of any such committee shall be solely advisory in nature.
5.1.2 The Superintendent may establish an administrative committee at any time, at his or her sole discretion.
5.2 The Superintendent shall select the members of an administrative committee and appoint a specific district employee as chair.
5.2.1 At his or her sole discretion, the Superintendent may remove a member from an administrative committee at any time.
5.3 The chair shall be responsible for:
5.3.1 ensuring that the committee operates in a manner consistent with Board and AAPS administrative policies, regulations, and procedures
5.3.2 maintaining the confidentiality of all proceedings and materials discussed and/or presented at any committee meetings
5.4 Board members shall generally not serve on any administrative advisory committee, except that the Superintendent, at his or her sole discretion, may appoint no more than two Board members to an administrative committee.
5.4.1 Board members serving on an administrative committee shall be considered as regular members of the committee and shall adhere to the directions of the chair.
5.5 The Superintendent may, at his or her sole discretion, dissolve an administrative committee at any time.
5.6 Any administrative committee not dissolved prior to June 30 of any school year shall be automatically dissolved as of that date, unless the committee has been reauthorized in writing by the Superintendent.
5.7 The Superintendent shall annually provide the Board with an outline of current administrative committees, their chairs, and their primary advisory focus.
6 Work Instructions, Templates, & Samples
6.1 Organizational charts
7 Training & Feedback
8 Implementation, Compliance & Assessment
2500 - Strategic Planning (6/30/09) BACK TO TOP
A district strategic plan shall guide the decisions and actions of all district personnel. The Superintendent shall help guide the planning process, incorporating input from school personnel, students, parents, community members, and outside expertise as necessary. The Board shall adopt the strategic plan and use it as a guide when setting priorities, making decisions, and taking actions.
The strategic plan shall be a living document that is revisited no less than annually as a benchmark for assessing district actions and as a tool for reaffirming or revising strategic directions.
2500.R.01 - Strategic Planning BACK TO TOP
1 Purpose
1.1 To provide guidelines for AAPS administration support of strategic planning
2 Organizational Units Affected
2.1 Superintendent
3 Definitions
3.1 AAPS: Ann Arbor Public Schools
3.2 Board: Board of Education
4 Background Information
4.1 The strategic plan shall be a living document that is revisited no less than annually as a benchmark for assessing district actions and as a tool for reaffirming or revising strategic directions.
5 Procedures
5.1 The Superintendent shall lead AAPS administration support of the strategic planning process by establishing policies, procedures, and processes to solicit and collate input from AAPS staff, parents, community members, and external consultants, as requested by the Board.
5.2 The Superintendent shall consult with the Board, as needed, to assist in determining direction(s) of the Strategic Plan.
6 Work Instructions, Templates, & Samples
6.1 Strategic Plan
7 Training & Feedback
8 Implementation, Compliance & Assessment
2520 - Strategic Plan (6/30/09) BACK TO TOP
The strategic plan, supported by the following goals, shall be a living document that is revisited no less than annually as a benchmark for assessing district actions and as a tool for reaffirming or revising strategic directions.
STRATEGIC GOALS
• We will create a complete educational program featuring personalized learning that realizes student aspirations and meets international standards.
• We will develop and implement a personalized learning plan for each student.
• We will actualize the potential for excellence in all students through inspiration and support.
• We will ensure meaningful learning through effective teaching.
• We will implement a system to ensure continuous development of staff capacity.
• We will inform and engender trust and support from our constituents to accomplish our mission and objectives.
• We will create and maintain physical learning environments that enable us to fulfill our mission.
• We will ensure resources adequate to accomplish our mission and objectives.
2520.R.01 - Strategic Plan BACK TO TOP
1. Purpose
1.1. To provide guidelines for AAPS administration support of the Strategic Plan
2. Organizational Units Affected
2.1. Superintendent
3. Definitions
3.1. AAPS: Ann Arbor Public Schools
3.2. Board: Board of Education
4. Background Information
4.1. The strategic plan, supported by the following goals, shall be a living document that is revisited no less than annually as a benchmark for assessing district actions and as a tool for reaffirming or revising strategic directions.
5 Procedures
5.1 The Superintendent shall lead AAPS administration and staff support of Board Policy 2520 by establishing policies, procedures, and processes to meet the goals set forth in the policy:
5.1.1 ensure achievement for all students
5.1.2 implement a system of district-wide accountability with appropriate consequences for employees, students, and programs
5.1.3 provide effective educational programs and services to meet students' needs
5.1.4 attract, hire, retain, and support highly qualified and diverse staff increase revenue and allocate resources to maximize student learning in the classroom
5.2 The Superintendent shall consult with the Board, as needed, to assist in determining direction(s) of the Strategic Plan.
6 Work Instructions, Templates, & Samples
6.1 Strategic Plan Objectives and Strategies
7 Training & Feedback
8 Implementation, Compliance & Assessment
2600 - Reports (6/30/09) BACK TO TOP
The Superintendent shall provide to the board regular reports on district operations and initiatives, scheduling the presentation of such reports in cooperation with the President.
Reports on the following shall be provided at least annually by the Superintendent:
• Progress on the Strategic Plan and board-established goals and objectives;
• Auditor’s report; and
• District Annual Report.
Reports on the following shall be provided at least every three months by the Superintendent:
• Status of current and pending legal action and arbitration; and
• Budget report.
The Superintendent shall be responsible for the compilation and timely delivery of all reports required by state or federal law, as well as all reports required by board-authorized contracts or grant/funding agencies.
2600.R.01 - Reports BACK TO TOP
1. Purpose
1.1. To establish guidelines for the timely submission of reports to the Board of Education
2. Organizational Units Affected
2.1. Superintendent
3. Definitions
3.1. AAPS: Ann Arbor Public Schools
3.2. Board: Board of Education
4. Background Information
5 Procedures
5.1 The Superintendent shall create or cause to be created reports to be presented to the Board at least annually at a time to be scheduled by the Board and the Superintendent:
5.1.1 progress on the Strategic Plan and Board-established goals and objectives
5.1.2 Auditor’s report
5.1.3 District Annual Report
5.2 At the request of the Board, the Superintendent shall prepare and present the reports indicated in 5.1 at a time to be scheduled by the Board and the Superintendent, even if such presentation is sooner than a scheduled annual report.
5.3 The Superintendent shall create or cause to be created certain other reports to be presented to the Board at least quarterly at a time to be scheduled by the Board and the Superintendent:
5.3.1 Status of current and pending legal action and arbitration
5.3.2 Budget report
5.4 The Superintendent shall be responsible for the compilation and timely delivery of all reports required by State of Michigan or federal law, as well as all reports required by Board-authorized contracts or grant/funding agencies.
6 Work Instructions, Templates, & Samples
6.1 Strategic Plan
7 Training & Feedback
8 Implementation, Compliance & Assessment
2620 - Legal Controls (6/30/09) BACK TO TOP
The Superintendent shall establish a system of legal controls to ensure competent representation and limit unnecessary exposure of the district to liability and legal fees. Such a system shall include but not be limited to the following provisions:
1. No legal counsel shall be retained nor legal opinion contracted for from any person or firm unless that person or firm is currently serving as board-appointed general counsel, or is otherwise authorized by the board to be used for expertise in a particular area;
2. No lawsuit shall be initiated nor settlement agreement entered into by or on behalf of the district or the board without the prior approval of the board. The board shall be notified promptly in the event of a lawsuit initiated against the board or the district, and shall be consulted prior to any response on behalf of the board or the district;
3. The Superintendent shall notify and consult with the board in the event of any arbitration action which poses significant financial risk or has policy implications for the district; and
4. The Superintendent in cooperation with district’s legal counsel shall provide regular and timely updates on the status of all current or pending litigation.
This policy shall not preclude the use of conventional insurance policies granting the insurance carrier substantial control over litigation arising under such policies.
2620.R.01 - Legal Controls BACK TO TOP
1 Purpose
1.1 To provide guidelines for the securing of legal counsel to represent AAPS
2 Organizational Units Affected
2.1 Superintendent
3 Definitions
3.1 AAPS: Ann Arbor Public Schools
3.2 Board: Board of Education
4 Background Information
4.1 AAPS schools, employees and/or Board members may occasionally become involved in legal matters which may require the hiring of counsel.
4.2 The Board shall appoint a general counsel and may also authorize counsel with specific expertise to represent the district in a particular area.
5 Procedures
5.1 The Superintendent shall be responsible for establishing a system to:
5.1.1 ensure competent representation
5.1.2 minimize the district’s exposure to liability and legal fees
5.2 The system referred to in 5.1 above shall include, but not be limited to, the following criteria:
5.2.1 No counsel shall be retained or legal opinion requested from any individual or law firm unless the individual or firm is currently authorized by the Board, per 4.2 above.
5.2.2 The Superintendent shall notify the Board promptly in the event of a lawsuit initiated against the Board or the district.
5.2.3 The Board shall be consulted prior to any response on behalf of the Board or the district.
5.2.4 The Board must give its written approval prior to any lawsuit initiated or settlement agreement entered into by or on behalf of the district or the Board.
5.2.5 The Superintendent shall, in a timely manner, notify and consult with the Board in the event of any arbitration action which poses significant financial risk or has policy implications for the district.
5.2.6 The Superintendent shall, in cooperation with the District's legal counsel, provide regular and timely updates on the status of all current or pending litigation and any other legal matters.
5.3 Compliance with Board Policy 2620 (Legal Controls) and AAPS Regulation 2620.R.01 shall not preclude the use of conventional insurance policies granting the insurance carrier substantial control over litigation arising under such policies.
6 Work Instructions, Templates, & Samples
7 Training & Feedback
8 Implementation, Compliance & Assessment
