What is THE POLICY GOVERNANCE MODEL?

Policy Governance is a commonsense, practical, effective organizational structure. When it comes to actively governing our schools’ day-to-day operation, a sound set of policies is more than enough. Policy Governance simply means the School Board establishes expectations via policies and District staff figure out how to meet those expectations.

For example, instead of the School Board spending hours poring over resumes and interviewing every hire, the Board hires the District Administrator and other key staff. These staff are then entrusted to develop a hiring process that meets Board expectations, shields the District from liability, and engages parents and teachers.

This approach promotes stability, efficiency, innovation, and fiscal responsibility.

Stability. Administrators, teachers, parents, and students all need stability for the school environment to be productive and healthy. When staff and teachers know they have authority to make day-to-day decisions within established policies and procedures, everyone knows what to expect.

Efficiency. Day to day decisions can be made in ‘real time’ by those most knowledgeable and directly affected rather than waiting weeks for the next School Board meeting

Innovation. Policy governance empowered administration to create the cutting-edge education Kettle Moraine has to offer today.  This structure engages the talents and interests of all District staff, teachers, and students, and encourages teachers to collaborate with local businesses and top experts in many career areas. Major changes in instruction and special programs that eventually became five charter schools dramatically changed the way KM students are prepared for their future. Compared with surrounding school districts, private schools, and even most schools in other states, Kettle Moraine students are getting a far superior education due to the real-life experiences, focus on communication skills, and preparedness for the future. 

Although KM’s data and standardized test scores put KM in the top tier of schools, with the #1 high school in the state, life skills are what set KM graduates apart. According to Forbes Magazine, the top ten needed skills for future employees are Digital literacy, data literacy, critical literacy, emotional intelligence, creativity, collaboration, flexibility, leadership, time management, curiosity/continuous learning. These are the skills the District has been teaching through innovative programs and charter schools. 

Fiscal Responsibility. Innovation and excellence have driven up open enrollment in KM schools.  With a declining population of school aged children in the District, open enrollment allows students from outside the district to be part of Kettle Moraine. Becoming a top destination for open enrolled students has stabilized revenues, allowing KMSD to continue the path of excellence in education. 

The kinds of opportunities offered by this District could not have come from a group of seven people meeting once or twice a month. The education provided by this District comes from the efforts and interaction of every single person working for the District plus the many, many professionals outside of the District with whom they’ve developed partnerships. Policy Governance made this possible.