It shall be 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 shall be 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, shall 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 shall 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 shall consult with the superintendent on the development of the agenda for the meeting.

The board president, as the chief officer of the school district, shall 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.  Additional assignments to the board president, unless otherwise delegated, include:

1. representing ICSD to the state school board association meetings (i.e. IASB delegate assembly).
2. representing ICSD to the Buchanan County Conservation Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Committee.
3. representing the ICSD board of education during master contract negotiations with bargaining units, including the Independence Teachers’ Association and Independence Educational Support Personnel.

 

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code §§ 279.1-.2; 291.1.

 

Cross Reference:        200.2   Organization of the Board of Directors

                                    202.2   Oath of Office

                                    206.2   Vice President

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  08/17/2015, 03/17/2020

Revised:  11/17/2008, 07/19/2010, 09/20/2021, 01/17/2023

           

The vice president of the board shall be 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.

By this election, if the board president is unable or unwilling to carry out the duties required, it shall be 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 shall 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 shall take an active role in board decisions by discussing and voting on matters before the board in the same manner as other board members.

The vice president will join the president representing the ICSD board of education during master contract negotiations with bargaining units, including the Independence Teachers’ Association and Independence Educational Support Personnel.

 

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code § 279.5.

 

 

Cross Reference:        200.2   Organization of the Board of Directors

                                    202.2   Oath of Office

                                    206.1   President

 

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  08/17/2015, 03/17/2020

Revised:  11/17/2008, 07/19/2010, 10/21/2019, 09/20/2021, 01/17/2023

 

A secretary-treasurer may be appointed from employees, other than a position requiring a teaching certificate, or from the public.  To finalize the appointment, the board secretary-treasurer 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 superintendent to evaluate the secretary-treasurer annually.

It is the responsibility of the secretary-treasurer, 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 secretary-treasurer will also be responsible for filing the required reports with the Iowa Department of Education.

In the event the secretary-treasurer is unable to fulfill the responsibilities set out by the board and the law, the superintendent’s designee will assume those duties until the secretary-treasurer is able to resume the responsibility or a new secretary-treasurer is appointed.  The secretary-treasurer will give bond or be covered by an insurance policy in an amount set by the board.  The cost of the bond or insurance policy will be paid by the school district.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 12B.10; 12C; 279.3, .31-.33; 291.2-.4, .8-.11, .12-.14.
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.3(1).
                                      1978 Op. Att'y Gen. 328.

Cross Reference:  202.2   Oath of Office
                                      210.1   Annual Meeting
                                      215      Board of Directors' Records
                                      501.10 Truancy - Unexcused Absences
                                      704.3   Investments
                                      707      Fiscal Reports
                                      708      Care, Maintenance and Disposal of School District Records

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  11/21/2005, 09/20/2010, 08/17/2015, 03/17/2020

Revised:  07/15/2019, 10/21/2024