It is the responsibility of the board president to lead a well-organized board in an efficient and effective manner. The board president will set the tone of the board meetings and, as the representative of the consensus of the board, speak on behalf of the board to the public.
The president of the board is elected to serve a one-year term by a majority vote at the organizational meeting in odd-numbered years, or, in even-numbered years, at a regular meeting held between twelve to thirteen months after the most recent organizational meeting.
The president, in addition to presiding at the board meetings, will take an active role in board decisions by discussing and voting on each motion before the board in the same manner as other board members. Before making or seconding a motion, the board president will turn over control of the meeting to either the vice-president or other board member.
The board president has the authority to call special meetings of the board. Prior to board meetings, the board president will consult with the superintendent on the development of the agenda for the meeting.
The board president, as the chief officer of the school district, will sign employment contracts and sign other contracts and school district warrants approved by the board and appear on behalf of the school corporation in causes of action involving the school district.
NOTE:
Board presidents were required by law to be elected during the organizational meeting following elections, and at the annual meeting in even-numbered years, and could only serve on year terms. After school elections changed to November, that required boards to wait until November each year to hold their annual meetings and settle their financials from the fiscal year prior. This 2021 change in the law separates out the election of the board president from the annual meeting. This change allows the annual meeting to be held after August 31, but closer to the end of the preceding fiscal year, and the board president to be elected during the board’s regular meeting in November to maintain a one year term of office.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.1-.2; 291.1.
Cross Reference: 200.1 Organization of the Board of Directors
202.2 Oath of Office
206.2 Vice-President
Approved Reviewed Revised July 2021
The vice-president of the board is elected by a majority vote at the organizational meeting of in odd-numbered years, or, in even-numbered years, at a regular meeting held between twelve to thirteen months after the most recent organizational meeting, to serve a one-year term of office.
By this election, if the board president is unable or unwilling to carry out the duties required, it is the responsibility of the Vice-President of the board to carry out the duties of the president. If the president is unable or unwilling to complete the term of office, the vice-president will serve as president for the balance of the president's term of office, and a new vice-president will be elected.
The vice-president will accept control of the meeting from the president when the president wishes to make or second a motion. The vice-president will take an active role in board decisions by discussing and voting on matters before the board in the same manner as other board members.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.5
Cross Reference: 200.1 Organization of the Board of Directors
202.2 Oath of Office
206.1 President
Approved Reviewed Revised July 2021
A board secretary may be appointed from employees, other than a position requiring a teaching certificate, or from the public. To finalize the appointment, the board secretary will take the oath of office during the meeting at which the individual was appointed or no later than ten days thereafter. It is the responsibility of the board to evaluate the board secretary annually.
It is the responsibility of the board secretary, as custodian of school district records, to preserve and maintain the records and documents pertaining to the business of the board; to keep complete minutes of special and regular board meetings, including closed sessions; to keep a record of the results of regular and special elections; to keep an accurate account of school funds; to sign warrants drawn on the school funds after board approval; and collect data on truant students. The board secretary will also be responsible for filing the required reports with the Iowa Department of Education.
In the event the board secretary is unable to fulfill the responsibilities set out by the board and the law, the business manager will assume those duties until the board secretary is able to resume the responsibility or a new board secretary is appointed. The board secretary will give bond in an amount set by the board. The cost of the bond will be paid by the school district.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 64; 279.3, .5, .7, .32, .33, .35; 291.2-.4, .6-.8, .10-.11; 299.10, .16
281 I.A.C. 12.3(1).
Cross Reference:
202.2 Oath of Office
206.4 Treasurer
210.1 Annual Meeting
215 Board of Directors' Records
501.10 Truancy - Unexcused Absences
707.1 Secretary's Reports
708 Care, Maintenance and Disposal of School District Records
Approved July 2000
Reviewed July 2021
Revised
It is the responsibility of the board to appoint a treasurer. The board may appoint a treasurer from its employees, other than a position requiring a teaching certificate, or from the public. To finalize the appointment, the treasurer will take the oath of office at the meeting at which the individual was appointed or no later than ten days thereafter.
It is the responsibility of the treasurer to oversee the investment portfolio, to receive funds of the school district, to pay out the funds for expenses approved by the board, to maintain accurate accounting records for each fund, to report monthly regarding the investment portfolio and the status of each fund and to file required reports with the appropriate state agencies and other entities. It will also be the responsibility of the treasurer to work with the secretary to coordinate the financial records, the financial reports, the cash flow needs and the investment portfolio of the school district.
If the treasurer is unable or unwilling to carry out the duties required, it is the responsibility of the business manager to carry out the duties of the treasurer.
The treasurer will give bond in an amount set by the board. The cost of the bond will be paid by the school district.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 12B.10; 12C; 279.3, .31-.33; 291.2-.4, .8, .11-.14
281 I.A.C. 12.3(1).
1978 Op. Att'y Gen. 328.
Cross Reference:
202.2 Oath of Office
206.3 Secretary
210.1 Annual Meeting
215 Board of Directors' Records
704.3 Investments
707 Fiscal Reports
Approved July 2000
Reviewed July 2021
Revised July 2020