NZ School Boards Association

The Problem

Slow, Complex Policy Development Holding Back School Governance

New Zealand school boards are required to regularly develop and update a comprehensive suite of policies to meet legislative requirements and reflect their school’s values and priorities. However, the traditional policy development process is time-consuming and complex, often taking weeks from drafting through to approval and implementation. Boards must interpret evolving legislation, adapt generic templates to their specific context, and ensure ongoing compliance, all while managing their broader governance responsibilities. This results in significant time spent on administrative work, increased compliance risk, limited policy customisation, and slower governance decision-making.

‍

Key Objectives

• Save school boards time in drafting policies so they can focus on meeting the needs of their community and the Crown, including improving student achievement.
• Ensure policies reflect school values, goals, and special character, making them more meaningful and aligned with the school's unique context.
• Strengthen board ownership over the policies they produce, ensuring they are fully aware of the expectations outlined within them.

‍

Solution

Co-Creating Compliant, School-Specific Policies with AI

Numa’s Policy Designer app:

• The tool enables school boards to co-create policies in collaboration with AI, ensuring compliance while allowing for greater customisation.

Numa Policy Designer includes:

• ‍Automated compliance integration: The AI incorporates relevant legislative requirements, ensuring policies are up-to-date.
• Customisable content: Boards can adapt policy language to align with their values and priorities.
• Time-saving automation: The tool reduces manual drafting time, allowing board members to focus on strategic governance.
  
  ‍

Results

Faster, clearer, and more relevant school policies

Time savings in contextualisation
The tool saves boards a significant amount of time contextualising their policies to their specific school environment.

Enhanced ownership and relevance
Because boards co-construct these policies through the AI tool, they feel they have ownership over them and that the policies reflect their unique school context.

Accessible language
The language generated is accessible to a range of audiences in the school community, improving understanding and engagement.

Enhanced engagement
Board members in the pilot actively contributed to shaping policies rather than just reviewing static templates.

Compliance assurance
Automated legislative updates reduce the risk of non-compliant policies.

‍

Future developments

Expanding AI's Role in Governance

Te Whakarōputanga is exploring additional applications of AI to further support school boards.

Potential applications for generative AI include risk management support and automated meeting notes and action tracking. By continuing to harness AI-driven efficiencies, NZSBA aims to modernise school governance and enhance board members' ability to focus on what matters most—supporting students and communities.

‍

‍