Ephrata Area School District -

For several years, the Ephrata Area Board of School Directors has been actively involved in the Policy Governance process. Policy Governance is a set of principles that allows a Board to practice strategic leadership, and it provides clear direction and accountability for both the Board and the Superintendent.

To avoid confusion with the Pennsylvania School Board Policy requirements, the Board has named its Policy Governance Process as “Guiding Principles & Practices” (GPPs).

From 2008 to 2010, the Board gathered data and educated itself about Policy Governance. Beginning in 2010, the Board created and drafted its Guiding Principles & Practices. The GPPs have been in place since 2013.

Establishing broad GPPs has encouraged the following outcomes.

• It permits the Board to govern with one voice while encouraging robust discussions and a variety of viewpoints.

• It creates a culture of trust with the administration in the decision-making process.

• It requires the Board to hold itself accountable to its goals while measuring forward progress.

• It allows the Administration to focus its energy toward achieving the District Mission, establishing priorities beyond standardized assessments through the creation of the Portrait of a Graduate framework, and identifying an instructional model that will engage students in a safe and supportive learning environment.

The use of the GPPs provides an environment that enables the Superintendent to clearly lead the District Team. It puts the Board and Superintendent in the roles for which they are best suited. The Board becomes more directly involved with the community as issues emerge and in engaging the public to establish overarching values. The Superintendent and the Professional Staff decide how to achieve those goals. Roles are clearly defined by the GPPs.

The Board’s primary focus is on student education opportunities and the preparation of all students for their life beyond school. The GPPs enabled the Superintendent to create and implement the District Life Ready Graduate (LRG) profile.

We believe that EASD is a high-quality school system, as evidenced by the growth that District students achieve, both in the traditional education curriculum as well as the LRG program. This has been achieved by the collaboration of staff, parents/guardians, students, and the community.

The Board believes that the focus on student learning opportunities and striving for continuous improvement in all District operations will enable us to improve the District delivery of excellent educational opportunities. The implementation and living by the GPPs has provided and enabled an environment in which District staff are free to take risks, try new processes, and meet the needs of all students. All District staff are focused on continuing and improving learning opportunities for all students.

The Board believes this gives clear lines of authority for District operations and empowers employees to best serve District students. The Board often expresses concerns around many aspects of District operations but always respects the will of the entire Board and the end of the discussion.

The Board regularly reviews and discusses each of the GPPs. As needed and appropriate, updates have been made to the GPPs.