Each year after August 31 and prior to the organizational meeting of the board in odd-numbered years, the board will hold its annual meeting.

At the annual meeting, the board will examine the financial books and settle the secretary's and treasurer's statements for the fiscal year ending the preceding June 30.  As part of the annual reports, the treasurer will present affidavits from depository banks.  The board may also appoint the board's legal counsel at the annual meeting.

Legal Reference:        
(Code of Iowa)
Annual Meeting, Chapter 277.28, 279.3,  279.30,
291.2, 453.1 - 453.6

Date of Adoption:
May 12, 1975

Date of Review:                                             
December 14, 2020

The normal order of business at all meetings shall be as follows:

PUBLIC FORUM Prior to meeting

1.          Call to Order.
2.          Roll Call.
3.          Adopt Agenda.
4.          Minutes.
5.          Warrants.
6.          Financial Statements.
7.          Board Reports.
8.          Superintendent's Report.
9.          Communications to the Board.
10.        Hearing of any Delegations.
11.        Administrative Reports.
12.        Unfinished Business.
13.        New Business.
14.        Personnel.
15.        Adjournment.

Legal Reference:        
(Code of Iowa)

Date of Adoption:                 
May 12, 1975

Date of Review:
December 14, 2020

The regular meeting time and date will be set by the board at its annual or organizational meeting.  The regular meetings of the board will be held on the  second Monday of each month.

Meetings will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m.  The board will adhere to this meeting date and time unless the board requires additional meetings or, due to circumstances beyond the board's control, the meeting cannot be held on the regular meeting date, and the meeting will be re-scheduled at the board's convenience.  Public notice of the meetings will be given.

Legal Reference:        
(Code of Iowa)

Date of Adoption:     May 12, 1975               

Date of Review:        December 14, 2020

It may be necessary for the board to conduct a special meeting in addition to the regularly scheduled board meeting.  Special meetings may be called by the president of the board or by the board secretary at the request of a majority of the board.  Should a special meeting be called, public notice will be given.

If the special meeting called is an emergency meeting and the board cannot give public notice in its usual manner, the board will give public notice of the meeting as soon as practical and possible in light of the situation.  Emergency meetings will only be held when an issue cannot wait twenty-four hours necessary for a special meeting.  The reason for the emergency meeting and why notice in its usual manner could not be given will be stated in the minutes.

Only the purpose or issue for which the special meeting was called may be discussed and decided in the special meeting.  The board will strictly adhere to the agenda for the special meeting and action on other issues will be reserved for the next regular or special board meeting.

Legal Reference:         
Iowa Code §§ 21.3, .4; 279.2 (2013).
1980 Op. Att'y Gen. 148.

Date of Adoption:      
May 12, 1975

Date of Review:
December 14, 2020

The board, as a decision making body, is confronted with a continuing flow of problems, issues and needs which require action.  While the board is determined to expedite its business, it is also mindful of the importance of planning, brainstorming and thoughtful discussion without action.  Therefore, the board may schedule work sessions and retreats in order to provide its members and the administration with such opportunities.  The board has the authority to hire an outside facilitator to assist them in work sessions.

Topics for discussion and study will be announced publicly, and work sessions and retreats will be conducted in open session.  No board action will take place at the work session.

Legal Reference:        
Iowa Code §§ 21; 279.8 (2013).
1982 Op. Att'y Gen. 162.
1980 Op. Att'y Gen. 167.
1976 Op. Att'y Gen. 384, 514, 765.
1972 Op. Att'y Gen. 158.
1970 Op. Att'y Gen. 287.

Date of Adoption:      
June 13, 2016

Date of Review:      
December 14, 2020

Public notice will be given for meetings and work sessions held by the board.  Public notice will indicate the time, place, date and tentative agenda of board meetings. The public notice will be posted in a  prominent place clearly designated for posting agendas in the central administration office, and on an exterior facing door/window so that community members may see the agenda when the building is physically closed.  The agenda will be posted  at least           days before it is scheduled, but, at the minimum, twenty-four hours notice needs to be given.

A copy of the public notice will be provided to those who have filed a request for notice with the secretary.  A copy of the public notice will also be accessible to employees and students.

In the case of special meetings, public notice will be given in the same manner as for a regular meeting unless it is an emergency meeting.  In that case, public notice of the meeting will be given as soon as practical and possible in light of the situation.  The media and others who have requested notice will be notified of the emergency meeting. Attendance at a special meeting or emergency meeting by the media or board members will constitute a waiver of notice.

It is the responsibility of the board secretary to give public notice of board meetings and work sessions.
 

NOTE:  This policy states that the notice will be posted in the central administration office which is a legal requirement.  If an additional procedure is used, the board may want to include that procedure.

Date of Adoption:                                          
May 12, 1975                                                 

Date of Review:
December 14, 2020

July 10, 2023

REVISED: July 10, 2023

The majority of the Board of Directors shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. A majority vote of those present shall be necessary and sufficient to pass any motion or to take any action of the Board unless the vote of a greater number with respect to the particular subject matter shall be required by law or other Board policy.

Legal Reference:        
(Code of Iowa)
Chapter 279.4

Date of Adoption:                                          
May 12, 1975                                                 

Date of Review:
December 14, 2020

An orderly board meeting allows the board members to participate in the discussion and decision process on an issue confronting the school district.  Rules of order for board meetings allow school district business and the relative information concerning the business to be brought to the attention of the board.  They also allow the board to discuss, act upon and make a clear record of school district business in a regular, ordered, reasonable and consistent manner.

The board will follow Robert's Rule of Order, Revised, latest edition as modified by this policy and subsequent rule.

The purpose of modified rules adopted by the board are:

• To establish guidelines by which the business of the governing board can be conducted in a regular and internally consistent manner;
• To organize the meetings so all necessary matters can be brought to the board and decisions of the board can be made in an orderly and reasonable manner;
• To ensure members of the board, concentrating on the substantive issues at hand, have the necessary information to make decisions, and to ensure adequate discussion of decisions to be made; and,
• To ensure meetings and actions of the board are conducted so as to be informative to the staff and the public, and to produce a clear record of actions taken and decisions made.

It is the responsibility of each board member to follow the rules of order stated in this policy at each meeting, and it is the responsibility of the presiding officer to conduct the board meeting within these rules.

Legal Reference:        
Iowa Code §§ 21.2, .7; 279.8 (2013).

Date of Adoption
May 12, 1975

Date of Review
December 14, 2020

The Superintendent of Schools shall submit to the Board of Directors for its consideration, at least two days before a regular meeting, a tentative agenda which shall set forth the order of business for that meeting.  The tentative agenda shall be posted at the front entrance of the Central Administration offices.  Emergency or other items may be added to the agenda prior to formal Board approval of the agenda.

The agenda shall contain supporting data for the suggested items of business, together with recommendations of the Superintendent, or recommendations from staff members designated by the Superintendent.

Whenever possible, the agenda shall be documented with evidence such as charts, graphs, statistics, previous experience records and/or precedents which bear on the matters to be considered.

Legal Reference:        
(Code of Iowa)
Chapters 21.3 and 21.4

Date of Adoption:                                          
May 12, 1975                                                 

Date of Review:
December 14, 2020

Very often the board must consider agenda items which are noncontroversial or similar in content.  Such agenda items might include ministerial tasks such as, but not limited to, the approval of the agenda, approval of previous minutes, approval of bills, approval of reports, etc.  These items might also include similar groups of decisions such as, but not limited to, approval of staff contracts, approval of maintenance details for the school buildings and grounds, open enrollment requests or approval of various schedules.

In order for a more efficient administration of board meetings, the board may elect to use a consent agenda for the passage of noncontroversial items or items of a similar nature.

The superintendent in consultation with the board president and board secretary shall place items on the consent agenda.  By using a consent agenda, the board has consented to the consideration of certain items as a group under one resolution.  Items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of a board member.

Nothing in this policy is to be construed as an attempt to avoid full compliance with laws dealing with open meetings or public notice of the agenda and meeting.

Legal Reference:        
Iowa Code §§ 21; 279.8 (2013).

Date of Adoption:
June 13, 2016

Date of Review:
December 14, 2020