A licensed employee who wishes to resign must notify the superintendent in writing within the time period set by the board for return of the contract.  This applies to regular contracts for the licensed employee's regular duties and for an extracurricular contract for extra duty.  Resignations of this nature will be accepted by the board.

The board may require an individual who has resigned from an extracurricular contract to accept the resigned position for only the subsequent school year when the board has made a good faith effort to find a replacement and the licensed employee is continuing to be employed by the school district.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 91A.2, .3, .5; 279.13, .19A (2003).

Cross Reference:  405.3   Licensed Employee Individual Contracts
                                      405.4   Licensed Employee Continuing Contracts
                                      407      Licensed Employee Termination of Employment

Approved 11/1/2004                             Reviewed 12/17/2007                            Revised                   
                                                                                       01/16/2012
                                                                                       02/20/2017                                                                                                                                                                                   07/18/2022

Licensed employees who wish to be released from an executed contract must give at least twenty-one days notice to the superintendent.  Licensed employees may be released at the discretion of the board.  Only in unusual and extreme circumstances will the board release a licensed employee from a contract.  The board will have sole discretion to determine what constitutes unusual and extreme circumstances.

Release from a contract will be contingent upon finding a suitable replacement.  Licensed employees requesting release from a contract after it has been signed and before it expires will be required to pay the board the cost of advertising or other reasonable administrative costs incurred to locate and hire a suitable replacement.  Upon written mutual agreement between the employee and the superintendent, and to the extent allowed by law, the costs may be deducted from the employee's salary.  Payment of these costs is a condition for release from the contract at the discretion of the board.  Failure of the licensed employee to pay these expenses may result in a cause of action being filed in small claims court.

The superintendent is authorized to file a complaint with the Board of Educational Examiners against a licensed employee who leaves without proper release from the board. 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 91A (1); 216; 272; 279.13, .19A, .46.
                                      

Cross Reference:  405.3   Licensed Employee Individual Contracts
                              405.4   Licensed Employee Continuing Contracts
                              407.3   Licensed Employee Retirement

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  01/16/2012, 02/20/2017, 07/18/2022, 06/19/2023

Revised:  11/19/2007, 07/18/2022, 06/19/2023

Licensed employees will perform their assigned job, respect and follow board policy, and obey the law.  The superintendent is authorized to suspend a licensed employee pending board action on a discharge, for investigation of charges against the employee, and for disciplinary purposes.  It shall be within the discretion of the superintendent to suspend a licensed employee with or without pay.

In the event of a suspension, appropriate due process will be followed.

Legal Reference:  Northeast Community Education Association v. Northeast Community School District, 402 N.W.2d 765 (Iowa 1987).
                                      McFarland v. Board of Education of Norwalk Community School District, 277 N.W.2d 901 (Iowa 1979).
                                      Iowa Code §§ 20.7, .24; 279.13, .15-.19, .27 (2003).

Cross Reference:  404      Employee Conduct and Appearance
                                      407      Licensed Employee Termination of Employment

Approved 11/1/2004                             Reviewed 12/17/2007                            Revised 07/18/2022
                                                                                       02/27/2012
                                                                                       02/20/2017                                                                                                                                                                                   07/18/2022

The board has the exclusive authority to determine the appropriate number of licensed employees.  A reduction of licensed employees may occur as a result of, but not be limited to, changes in the education program, staff realignment, changes in the size or nature of the student population, financial situation considerations, and other reasons deemed relevant by the board.

The reduction in licensed employees, other than administrators, will be done through normal attrition if possible.  If normal attrition does not meet the necessary reduction in force required, the board may terminate licensed employees.

It will be the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation for termination to the board.  The superintendent will consider the following criteria in making the recommendations:

• Endorsements and educational preparation within the grade level and subject areas in which the employee is now performing;
• Relative skills, ability and demonstrated performance;
• Qualifications for co-curricular programs; and
• Number of continuous years of service to the school district.  This will be considered only when the foregoing factors are relatively equal between licensed employees.

Due process for terminations due to a reduction in force will be followed.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 20.

Cross Reference:  407.5   Licensed Employee Suspension
                                      413.6   Classified Employee Reduction in Force
                                      703      Budget

Approved 11/1/2004                             Reviewed 12/17/2007                            Revised 06/17/2019
                                                                                       02/27/2012                                 07/18/2022
                                                                                       02/20/2017
                                                                                       06/17/2019                                                                                                                                                                                   07/18/2022