201 - Legal Status of the Board
201 - Legal Status of the BoardThe Board of Education of the Algona Community School District derives its legal status from the constitution of the State of Iowa and the statutes enacted by the Iowa General Assembly. A Board of Education may establish additional rules and regulations that are not in conflict with the laws of the State or our Nation.
The Board of Education can transact business which is legally binding on the District only when it is in regular or special session with a quorum present and its proceedings recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
The Board of Education retains full legislative and judicial authority over the schools in accordance with the school laws and the expressed will of the electorate, but delegates all executive, supervisory, and instructional authority to its employees as hereinafter specified. Legislative service under the law implies the power and the obligation to contract for service and materials, the power to inspect, the power to pass judgment upon employees and their work, and power to veto acts of any or all employees when such acts are deemed contrary to the legal rights or obligations of the District, or inconsistent with established Board policies.
While the Board of Education is charged by the State with the responsibility for providing educational opportunities for the children of its schools and directing those public school activities which the State entrusts to its care and supervision, a carefully planned pattern of authority is observed by the Board.
In fulfilling its obligations, the Board acts similarly in its relationships to the schools as do Boards of Directors to successful business organizations; that is, through the power of legislation, by the determination of policies, and the evaluation of results. The direct administration of the school system is delegated to the Superintendent of Schools whom the Board appoints to act as Executive Officer of the Board. The Superintendent is held individually and directly responsible to the Board for the execution of all its policies and its legislations and for such other duties assigned to the Superintendent by the Board. Individual members have status as Board members only when acting formally as members of the Board while it is in regular or special session, or when specifically entrusted by the Board to carry out definite assignments.
Legal Reference:
(Code of Iowa)
Date of Adoption:
May 12, 1975
Date of Review:
December 14, 2020
201.1 - Organization of School Board
201.1 - Organization of School BoardThe Algona Community School District Board of Directors is authorized by and derives its organization from Iowa law. The board shall consist of seven (7) board members. Board members are elected at-large.
The board is organized for the purpose of setting policy and providing general direction for the school district. The board will hold its organizational meeting at the first regular meeting following the canvass of votes. The retiring board will transfer materials and responsibility to the new board.
The organizational meeting allows the outgoing board to approve minutes of its previous meetings, complete unfinished business and review the school election results. The retiring board will adjourn and the new board will then begin. The board secretary will administer the oath of office to the newly-elected board members. The board secretary will preside while the new board elects the president and vice-president of the new board.
Legal Reference:
(Code of Iowa)
Iowa Code secs. 274.2, 277.28, .31, 279.1, .5, .7
(1987 as amended by H.F. 499, 72nd G.A. 1st Sess.).
670 Iowa Admin. Code 3.1(2);
Date of Adoption:
November 9, 1987
Date of Review:
December 14, 2020
201.2 - General Powers and Duties
201.2 - General Powers and DutiesThe Board of Directors shall make rules for its own government and that of the teachers and pupils, and for the care of the schoolhouse, grounds and property of the school corporation, and aid in the enforcement of these rules, and require the performance of duties of said persons imposed by the law and the rules. The board is also empowered to enforce its policies. The board may, through its quasi-judicial power, conduct hearings and rule on issues and disputes confronting the school district.
Legislative - The School Board represents the people of the District and shall function as a policy-making body. The Board has complete jurisdiction over the School
District and its employees.
Executive - The Board of Directors selects an Executive Officer, the Superintendent of Schools, and delegates to the Superintendent the authority for carrying out the
policies, plans, and administrative details necessary to insure that all phases formulated by the Board are made effective in the operation of the Schools.
Evaluative - Evaluation is that function which attempts, through careful examination and study of facts and conditions, to determine the efficiency of the operation of
the schools, not only in dollars and cents, but in desirable values as the result of instruction based on a sound philosophy of education.
The board has these powers and all other powers expressly granted to it in federal and state law as well as the powers that can be reasonably implied from the express powers.
Legal Reference:
Board of Directors of Ind. School Dist. of Waterloo v. Green, 259 Iowa 1260, 147 N.W.2d 854 (1967).
Iowa Code §§ 28E; 274.1-.2; 279.8 (2013).
281 I.A.C. 12.1(2).
1990 Op. Att'y Gen. 66.
Iowa Code §§ 274.1; 279.1, .8, .20; 280.12 (2013).
281 I.A.C. 12.3(2).
Date of Adoption:
May 12, 1975
Date of Review:
December 14, 2020