RATIONALE/OBJECTIVE:

The Cobb County School District (District) recognizes the need for Administrative Rules (Rules) statements to guide the day-to-day operations of the District as well as the individual schools. These Rules embody the philosophical foundations, beliefs, and core values of the District and the Cobb County Board of Education (Board). As such, they establish parameters within which employees, particularly school and District administrators, exercise their decision making authority.

RULE:

A. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES:
    1. Proposed or revised Administrative Rules shall be reviewed and approved by the
        Executive Cabinet, Superintendent and Board in compliance with Board Policy BGD
        (Review of Administrative Rules).
    2. A new or revised Rule officially repeals other Rules or parts thereof which are
        inconsistent with the most recently approved Rule. Changes in conflicting Rules shall
        be made by Policy, Planning and Student Support (Policy and Planning) after involved
        cabinet members are notified and no objections are raised.
    3. Changes in the wording of a Rule of an editorial nature, such as corrections of
        grammar, changes of personnel titles, wording clarification, etc., that do not alter the
        intent or provisions of the original Rule may be made by administration but only
        published after Board review.
    4. Each administrative division will annually review Administrative Rules affecting that
        division. It is recommended that each division maintain a review group to:
        a. Perform the periodic review of the division’s Rules and Forms;
        b. Evaluate requests for new Rules and Forms;
        c. Review suggestions for changes to existing Rules and Forms.
    5. All employees are expected to be familiar with Board Policies and Administrative Rules
        that pertain to them.
    6. True and complete copies of all Cobb County School District Administrative Rules are
        maintained on the District Web site and are available for inspection and review by
        employees or members of the public.
    7. CHANGE PROCEDURES:
        The following procedures shall be observed in regard to adding new Rules and
        changing or deleting existing Rules:
        a. Any employee may recommend changes to Rules or suggest the creation of a new       
            Rule. The recommendation or suggestion may be forwarded to Policy and Planning
            for consideration and for routing to the appropriate division head. It may also be
            sent directly to the appropriate division head.
        b. Each division is responsible for interpreting and proposing changes to the
            Administrative Rules pertaining to its area of responsibility.
        c. The originating division prepares its proposal. The proposal will include:
            (1) A copy of the proposal indicating the desired change:
                 (a) Language to be deleted should have a line drawn through it;
                 (b) Proposed new language should be underlined;
                 (c) An entirely new Rule should be underlined in its entirety
            (2) Supporting documentation the originating division feels should be included with
                 the Coordination Record.
            (3) The name of the contact person (Contact) within the division to whom
                 questions regarding the changes or the new Rule may be addressed.
            (4) When the proposal is complete, it will be provided to Policy and Planning in
                 electronic format (Word).
        d. Upon receipt of the file, Policy and Planning will take the following actions:
            (1) The item will be logged into a routing log.
            (2) The proposal will be reviewed by Policy and Planning. Suggestions and/or
                 needed clarifications will be discussed with the originating division’s
                 designated Contact.
            (3) A Coordination Record will be prepared,
            (4) If necessary, the proposed new Rule or proposed changes will be submitted to
                 the District’s legal counsel for review.
            (5) When the Attorney’s response is received:
                 (a) If changes are recommended, Policy and Planning will discuss them with
                      the Division Contact to determine whether Policy and Planning may make
                      the change.
                 (b) If no changes are recommended, the Coordination Record will be
                      forwarded to the Executive Cabinet.
        e. Each individual listed on the Coordination Record may ask questions or suggest
            changes. When this occurs, the Coordination Record should be returned to Policy
            and Planning, which will share the questions and/or recommendations with the
            Contact for his/her consideration. The routing process will then continue.
        f. Once the Coordination Record Process is Completed:
           (1) The completed Coordination Record is returned to Policy and Planning.
           (2) In compliance with Board Policy BGD (Review of Administrative Rules) the
                Board will be provided copies of the Rule, with additions, changes, and
                deletions identified, for review and questions. The copies will be delivered to
                members of the Board no less than 10 calendar days prior to the next day
                meeting (Work Session) of the Board of Education.
        g. When Board of Education Review is Completed:
            (1) Policy and Planning will send the approved change to the District Web Master
                 to be added to the on-line Board Policy Manual (Manual).
            (2) Upon confirmation from the Web Master that the on-line Manual has been
                 updated, the Assistant Superintendent for Policy, Planning and Student
                 Support will notify school and District administration of the change to include a
                 brief explanation of the change.

B. FORMS:
The following procedures shall be observed in regard to adding new forms and changing or deleting existing Forms:
    1. The originating Division head sends the proposed form to the Assistant
        Superintendent for Policy, Planning and Student Support.
    2. Policy and Planning determines whether any review of the proposed form needs to
        occur.
    3. If review is needed, the Coordination Record process will be initiated.
    4. If no review is deemed necessary, Policy and Planning will send the new form to the
        Web Master to be added to the on-line Manual.
    5. Upon confirmation from the Web Master that the on-line Manual has been updated,
        the Assistant Superintendent for Policy, Planning and Student Support will notify
        school and District administration of the change to include a brief explanation of the
        change.

Approved: 9/10/69
Reclassified an Administrative Rule: 9/1/04
Revised: 1/26/84; 8/8/84; 6/12/91; 6/25/92; 1/28/93; 8/9/95; 2/25/99; 4/22/04; 9/23/04; 7/14/05; 6/13/07