Role of the School Head in Public Policy

The WFIS Board of Directors affirms the right of educational liberty for all Washington families. We declare the attainment of this freedom - as well as the protection of each member school's independent mission - as our primary public policy objectives. We advocate for the enactment of legislation and policies that will maximize the quality of educational opportunities for all of Washington's children - whether through religious, private or public sponsorship.

Choices for ALL Parents - WFIS Statement on Educational Liberty, May 3, 2001 The Board recognizes the enormous responsibilities and investment of time required to perform the job of school head. We affirm and support the significant place these dedicated professionals hold in the local educational community. In order to generate a maximum effort toward achieving the goal of educational liberty, we also acknowledge the critical role of the school head in local public policy efforts. We call upon these leaders to assume the following responsibilities as integral to their mission to serve.

• The school head becomes a local leader committed to educational liberty.
• The school head seeks to be knowledgeable and informed on local and national educational policy issues.
• The school head inspires members of the learning community to become active in the political process. She/he volunteers expertise, serving on local or state policy committees as appropriate and encourages staff and parents to do likewise.
• The school head forms coalitions with other groups to advance private school public policy issues.
• Since the school head has a concern for quality education for all children, she/he seeks to improve education in all our state's schools. Doing so requires developing a connection with neighborhood public and other private school leaders.
• The school head facilitates an understanding on the part of the school parents regarding their educational rights and regularly provides information on these topics, as well as pending legislation, through the schoolÕs communication efforts.
• The school head encourages the establishment of vibrant and active public policy advocacy committees - as appropriate within the school's organizational structure - to assist in reporting and coordinating efforts in the larger community.

Substantive change cannot happen in isolation. While the Board understands that independent school heads do not accept the call to leadership primarily to become political activists, they do understand their special fidelity to the mission of their schools. This mission includes the duty to ensure their parents' right to choose the educational placement of their child. It is in fulfilling this role that the local leader becomes the conduit to inform and the champion for just causes.

-Approved by the WFIS Board of Directors, Dec. 6, 2002