The Board is charged by legislative authority, as set forth in Oregon Revised Statutes, to develop policies. Under this broad authority, the Board's assigned role of leadership is expressed in policies of the Oregon Board of Education and in local Board adopted policies. WSD policies are an attempt to further define the intent of specific statutes. These policies are not intended as a substitute for legislation. Only for emphasis and clarity of the laws referred to, as a supplement to those which are permissive or which otherwise allow alternatives, or where other considerations may warrant, have Board policies been adopted.
Policies are the guidelines for action.
They have the effect of law, pertaining to the operation of the schools. Such policies must be broad enough to accommodate decision-making by those who apply them to the actual circumstances of school operations. Yet they must be narrow enough to give clear direction to the students, school district personnel and patrons as they carry out the Board's intent Among the decisions are some that ultimately are embodied in rules and regulations. Rule making is one of the administration responsibilities. Administrators and their staff working together arrive at rules that apply the Board's policies specifically to certain situations.