Your school’s policies don’t interpret themselves.

It’s Monday, and On The Way To School is back in school mode.

In today’s episode, I’m looking at a recent development from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights and what it may mean for independent school leaders and board committees working on equity, belonging, and discipline.

The bigger leadership lesson, though, goes beyond any one letter or policy:

When the rules change, don’t react first. Interpret first.

If your board has committees focused on equity, belonging, diversity, student life, or governance, this is the moment to ask:

• What does this mean for our existing policies?
• What does it mean for our strategic goals?
• Who is responsible for interpreting the guidance?
• How does it align with our mission and bylaws?
• Do we need counsel to help us understand the implications?

The temptation is to let one person read something, make an interpretation, and immediately turn that interpretation into practice.

That’s governance by assumption.

Good governance requires us to slow down enough to understand what has actually changed—and what hasn't.

Know your policies. Know your bylaws. Know your mission. Know when to bring in counsel.

Because in school governance, the details matter.

🎙️ On The Way To School
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