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 members.

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.

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

I.C. Iowa Code References        Description
Iowa Code § 279.2                    Directors - Powers and Duties
Iowa Code § 291.1                    Board Officers - President
Iowa Code § 279.1                    Directors - Powers and Duties - Organization-Student Improvement Oversight

Cross References:  200.01  Organization of the Board of Directors
                                         200.01-R(1)  Organization of the Board of Directors - Organizational Meeting Procedures
                                         202.02  Oath of Office
                                         206.02  Vice-President

Approved: 11/16/2015, 1/14/2019, 10/16/2023, 2/18/2025
Reviewed: 1/21/2025
Revised: 1/21/2025

The vice-president of the board is elected 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, 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

I.C. Iowa Code References        Description
Iowa Code § 279.5                    Directors - Powers and Duties-Vice-President

Cross References:  200.01  Organization of the Board of Directors
                                         200.01-R(1)  Organization of the Board of Directors - Organizational Meeting Procedures
                                         202.02  Oath of Office
                                         206.01  President

Approved: 11/16/2015, 1/14/2019, 10/16/2023, 2/18/2025
Reviewed: 1/21/2025
Revised: 1/21/2025

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 or superintendent 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 may designate an individual(s) to assist with responding to and processing requests for records of the district. 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 District Office 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 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 §§ 64; 279.3, .5, .7. .32, .33, .35,; 291.2-.4, .6-.8, .10-.11; 299.10.
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.3(1).

I.C. Iowa Code                                      Description
Iowa Code § 12B.10                              Public Funds Investment Standards
Iowa Code § 12C                                  Deposit of Public Funds
Iowa Code § 279                                   Directors - Powers and Duties
Iowa Code § 291                                   Board Officers
Iowa Code § 299.10                              Compulsory Education - Truancy Officers
Iowa Code § 64                                     Bonds

I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code           Description
281 I.A.C. 12.3                                     Administration

Cross References:  202.02  Oath of Office
                                         206.04  Treasurer
                                         210.01  Annual Meeting
                                         215  Board of Directors' Records
                                         215-E(1)  Board of Directors' Records - Board Meeting Minutes
                                         701.01  Depository of Funds
                                         704.03  Investments
                                         707.01  Presentation and Publication of Financial Information
                                         708  Care, Maintenance and Disposal of School District Records

Approved: 11/16/2015, 1/14/2019, 10/16/2023, 2/18/2025, 12/15/2025, 2/25/2026
Reviewed: 1/28/2026
Revised: 1/28/2026

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 during 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 District Office Manager to carry out the duties of the treasurer.

The 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, .5, .7 .31-.33, .35; 291.2-.4, .6-.12, .14.
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.3(1).

I.C. Iowa Code                                      Description
Iowa Code § 12B.10                              Public Funds Investment Standards
Iowa Code § 12C                                  Deposit of Public Funds
Iowa Code § 279                                   Directors - Powers and Duties
Iowa Code § 291                                   Board Officers

I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code           Description
281 I.A.C. 12.3                                     Administration

Cross References:  202.02  Oath of Office
                                          206.03  Secretary (I, II)
                                          210.01  Annual Meeting
                                          215  Board of Directors' Records
                                          215-E(1)  Board of Directors' Records - Board Meeting Minutes
                                          701.01  Depository of Funds
                                          704.03  Investments

Approved: 10/16/2023, 2/18/2025, 2/25/2026
Reviewed: 1/28/2026
Revised: 1/28/2026