The district actively pursues legislative changes favorable to education by increasing staff and community awareness and involvement in addressing legislative issues. The superintendent and special assistant to the superintendent meet regularly with federal and state-elected officials.
Policy Development
Policy development is a cooperative effort between the administration and the board within roles defined by law. Formulating policy recommendations is a task for administrators; policy adoption is a board activity. Texas Education Code 11.201 specifically charges the superintendent with preparing recommendations for policies to be adopted by the board of trustees and overseeing the implementation of adopted policies.
Northwest ISD works collaboratively with the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) legal and policy division to ensure that local policy reflects the intent of the law.
TASB localized policy updates are received periodically following any revisions as a result of legislation. These updates are reviewed by the respective district administrator and submitted to the board for review and adoption.
Types of policies
The Localized Policy Manual contains two types of policies: legally referenced policies and local policies, both of which are reviewed by the board before they become part of the manual. The legally referenced policies reflect the evolving legal context for local policy and implementation. Legally referenced policies are statements of law, are recommended for inclusion in the manual, but are not adopted by the board. Legally referenced policies recite state or federal laws or regulations and other sources of legal authority. These policies can be identified by the (LEGAL) in the upper right corner and lower left corner of each page.
Local policies reflect the decisions of the board regarding the education needs of students and priorities and values of the community. Only the local policies are adopted by the board.
The Localized Policy Manual is organized according to TASB codification system that has evolved with the changing legal landscape and with emerging local issues. The manuals seven sections are devoted to the following areas of school governance:
A - Basic District Foundations
B - Local Governance
C - Business and Support Services
D - Personnel
E - Instruction
F - Students
G - Community and Governmental Relations
The Localized Policy Manuals (hard bound) are housed in the Superintendents office and the Special Assistant to the Superintendent. Click here for an on-line version of the manual.
Administrative Regulations
The district uses a process or plan to implement district policy. This is defined as an administrative regulation. The development and implementation of these regulations and procedures are coordinated through the districts administrators according to each persons area of responsibility. Local regulations guide implementation of policy, define standard operating procedures, and allow room for professional discretion and judgment, as appropriate. Administrative regulations are reviewed and revised by administrators as policy changes or circumstances warrant, in addition to an annual review. Regulations are not adopted by the board.
Community Relations
The district is proactive in collaborating with civic organizations and government agencies to promote development and growth in the community. NISD provides information on academic achievement, demographics, and growth-related issues.
The special assistant to the superintendent serves as a liaison between the district and the Northwest communities. The district is also represented on various boards of area Chambers of Commerce, and other civic organizations. The department makes presentations on behalf of the district to local civic and service organizations as requested and coordinates district wide, internal and external special events and committees. Throughout the school year, the Board of Trustees acknowledges outstanding services of community involvement. The Chambers of Commerce and organizations include:
