Introduction
In 2022, the School District of Lodi in Wisconsin sought to enhance its policy management system to better navigate the complex and ever-evolving landscape of state and federal regulations. Under District Administrator Dr. Vince Breunig’s leadership, the district turned to Neola, a trusted provider of policy services, to ensure compliance and efficiency in governance.
The Challenge
Before implementing Neola’s policy services, the School District of Lodi had a well-managed policy framework overseen by the previous superintendent. However, as Breunig assumed his role as district administrator, he recognized the increasing difficulty of keeping up with frequent legislative and regulatory changes. Relying on state organizations for updates was effective, but presented the risk of missing crucial changes, leading to potential gaps in compliance.
Breunig was particularly concerned about ensuring the district’s policies remained comprehensive and aligned with federal and state requirements. After discussing policy management with colleagues who had adopted Neola, he initiated discussions with Neola representatives to explore the benefits of their services.
The Implementation Process
In 2022–2023, Neola representative Dr. Scott Brown provided an in-depth presentation to the district’s policy committee and school board, outlining the transition process and how Neola could streamline policy management. The decision to adopt Neola was not driven by an immediate need for drastic policy changes, but rather by a proactive approach to safeguarding the district from compliance issues in the future.
The implementation process, while rigorous, was well-supported by Neola’s team. Breunig described the policy overhaul as challenging but worthwhile. With direct access to Neola’s expertise, he and his team worked closely with representatives to ensure that existing policies were effectively integrated while aligning new policies with state and federal mandates.
Results and Effectiveness
Since implementing Neola, the School District of Lodi has experienced significant improvements in its policy management approach:
- Enhanced Compliance & Transparency – The district now receives timely policy updates accompanied by clear explanations of legislative changes, ensuring informed decision-making at the board level.
- Streamlined Policy Review Process – The board and policy committee can efficiently evaluate, adopt, and implement new policies without the burden of independently tracking regulatory updates.
- Ongoing Support & Training – Neola’s responsive team provides continuous assistance, enabling the administration to address board inquiries quickly and confidently.
- Long-term Efficiency – While the initial adoption required a considerable effort, the long-term benefits include reduced administrative burden and greater confidence in maintaining up-to-date policies.
Future Outlook
Breunig highly recommends Neola’s services to other districts seeking a structured and reliable policy management system. While he acknowledges that the initial transition requires time and effort, he emphasizes that the long-term ease of policy maintenance far outweighs the challenges.
“Partnering with Neola has been a game-changer for our district. While the initial transition required time and effort, the long-term benefits have been invaluable. We now have confidence that our policies are always up-to-date, aligned with state and federal requirements, and effectively support our board and administration in making informed decisions. Additionally, we’ve significantly decreased our reliance on legal counsel to vet policy changes, which was especially crucial during our Title IX policy work this year.”
Dr. Vince Breunig, District Administrator
Looking ahead, the School District of Lodi will continue leveraging Neola’s expertise to maintain compliance and ensure its policies evolve alongside educational and legal requirements. The district also sees opportunities for further collaboration, including potential presentations at state education conferences to share insights on strategic planning and board development.
Conclusion
The School District of Lodi’s experience with Neola highlights the value of a well-structured policy management system in ensuring compliance and operational efficiency. By adopting Neola’s services, the district has gained a sustainable, comprehensive approach to policy oversight—an investment that will continue to benefit the district for years to come.