Arizona School Board Association reveals new policy services for school districts

The Prescott Unified School District (PUSD) Governing Board meeting on April 1, 2025, featured a significant presentation from the Arizona School Board Association (ASBA) regarding their policy services. Justin Rice, the executive director of ASBA, along with policy analysts Lynn Bondi and Charlotte Patterson, emphasized their commitment to supporting school districts through accountability, collaboration, and transparency.

Rice acknowledged the challenges ASBA has faced but expressed optimism about moving forward and improving their services. He highlighted the importance of feedback from district members to ensure that ASBA meets their needs effectively. The presentation outlined various services offered by ASBA, including nonpartisan policy advisories, compliance-focused employee handbooks, and on-call consultations for board members and administrators.

Bondi elaborated on the specifics of ASBA's offerings, such as policy amendment assistance and comprehensive policy reviews, which are provided at no additional cost. She noted that these services are designed to help districts align their policies with current laws and best practices, ensuring that they can focus on their primary mission: supporting students and educators.

The discussion also touched on the challenges of navigating the policy manual's structure, with board members expressing concerns about the complexity of the numbering system. ASBA representatives acknowledged this feedback and indicated that they are working on making the manual clearer and more user-friendly.

Overall, the meeting underscored the vital role that ASBA plays in helping PUSD and other districts stay compliant with evolving educational legislation while providing essential support to board members and administrators. The collaborative approach and commitment to transparency were highlighted as key factors in fostering a productive relationship between ASBA and its member districts.