The length of the contract for employment between the superintendent and the board is determined by the board.  The contract will begin on July 1 and end on June 30.  The contract will state the terms of employment.

The first two years of a contract issued to a newly employed superintendent is considered a probationary period.  The board may waive this period or the probationary period may be extended for an additional year upon the consent of the superintendent.  In the event of termination of a probationary or nonprobationary contract, the board will afford the superintendent appropriate due process, including notice by May 15.  The superintendent and board may mutually agree to terminate the superintendent's contract at any time.

If a superintendent's contract is not being renewed by the board, the contract will be extended automatically for additional one-year periods beyond the end of its term until it is modified or terminated as mutually agreed to by the parties or until the superintendent's contract is terminated consistent with statutory termination procedures.

It is the responsibility of the board to provide the contract for the superintendent.

If the superintendent wishes to resign, to be released from a contract, or to retire, the superintendent must comply with board policies dealing with retirement, release or resignation.

Legal Reference:          
Cook v Plainfield Community School District,
301 N.W.2d 771 (Iowa App. 1980).
Board of Education of Fort Madison Community School District v. Youel,
282 N.W.2d 677 (Iowa 1979).
Briggs v Board of Directors of Hinton Community School District,
282 N.W.2d 740 (Iowa 1979).
Luse v. Waco Community School District of Henry Co.,
258 Iowa 1087, 141 N.W.2d 607 (1966).
Iowa Code §§ 21.5(1)(i); 279.20, .22-.25 (2013).

Date of Adoption:                 
June 9, 1975

Date of Review:
February 8, 2021

The board has complete discretion to set the salary of the superintendent.  It is the responsibility of the board to set the salary and benefits of the superintendent at a level that will include consideration of, but not be limited to, the economic condition of the school district and the training, experience, skill, and demonstrated competence of the superintendent.  The salary is set at the beginning of each contract term.

In addition to the salary and benefits, the superintendent's actual and necessary expenses are paid by the school district when the superintendent is performing work-related duties.  It is within the discretion of the board to pay dues to professional organizations for the superintendent.

The board may approve the payment of dues and other benefits or compensation over and above the superintendent's contract.  Approval of dues and other benefits or compensation will be included in the records of the board in accordance with board policy.

Legal Reference:        
(Code of Iowa)
Chapter 279.20, 279.23, 279.23A, 279.24

Date of Adoption:                                          
June 9, 1975                                                   

Date of Review:
February 8, 2021

The board employs a superintendent of schools to serve as the chief executive officer of the board.  The board delegates to the superintendent the authority to implement board policy and to execute decisions made by the board concerning the internal operations of the school district, unless specifically stated otherwise.

The superintendent is responsible for the implementation and execution of board policy and the observance of board policy by employees and students.  The superintendent is responsible for overall supervision and discipline of employees and the education program.

In executing the above-stated duties, the superintendent will consider the financial situation of the school district as well as the needs of the students.  Specifically, the superintendent:

• Interprets and implements all board policies and all state and federal laws relevant to education;
• Supervises, either directly or through delegation, all activities of the school system according to, and consistent with, the policies of the board;
• Represents the board as a liaison between the school district and the community;
• Establishes and maintains a program of public relations to keep the public well-informed of the activities and needs of the school district, effecting a wholesome and cooperative working relationship between the school district and the community;
• Attends and participates in all meetings of the board, except when the superintendent has been excused, and makes recommendations affecting the school district;
• Reports to the board on such matters as deemed material to the understanding and proper management of the school district or as the board may request;
• Establishes and maintains efficient procedures and effective controls for all expenditures of school district funds in accordance with the adopted budget, subject to the direction and approval of the board;
• Files, or causes to be filed, all reports required by law;
• Makes recommendations to the board for the selection of employees for the school district;
• Makes and records assignments and transfers of all employees pursuant to their qualifications;
• Employs such employees as may be necessary, within the limits of budgetary provisions and subject to the board's approval;
• Recommends to the board, for final action, the promotion, salary change, demotion, or dismissal of any employee;
• Prescribes rules for the classification and advancement of students, and for the transfer of students from one building to another in accordance with board policies;
• Summons employees of the school district to attend such regular and occasional meetings as are necessary to carry out the education program of the school district;
• Supervises methods of teaching, supervision, and administration in effect in the schools;
• Attends such conventions and conferences as are necessary to keep informed of the latest educational trends;
• Accepts responsibility for the general efficiency of the school system, for the development of the employees, and for the educational growth and welfare of the students;
• Defines educational needs and formulates policies and plans for recommendation to the board;
• Makes administrative decisions necessary for the proper functioning of the school district;
• Responsible for scheduling the use of buildings and grounds by all groups and/or organizations;
• Acts as the purchasing agent for the board, and establishes procedures for the purchase of books, materials and supplies;
• Approves vacation schedules for employees;
• Conducts periodic district administration meetings;
• Performs other duties as may be assigned by the board;
• Supervises the establishment or modification of the boundaries of school attendance and transportation areas subject to approval of the board; and
• Directs studies of buildings and sites, taking into consideration population trends and the educational and cultural needs of the district in order to ensure timely decisions by the board and the electorate regarding construction and renovation projects.

This list of duties will not act to limit the board's authority and responsibility over the superintendent.  In executing these duties and others the board may delegate, the superintendent will consider the school district's financial condition as well as the needs of the students in the school district.

Legal Reference:         
(Code of Iowa)
Chapter 279.20, 272.33

Date of Adoption:                                            
June 9, 1975                                                    

Date of Review
February 8, 2021

The Board will conduct an ongoing evaluation of the superintendent’s skills, abilities, and competence.  At a minimum, the board will formally evaluate the superintendent on an annual basis.  The goal of the superintendent’s formal evaluation is to ensure the education program for the students is carried out, promote growth in effective administrative leadership, clarify the superintendent’s role, clarify the immediate priorities of the board, and develop a working relationship between the board and the superintendent.  This policy supports and does not preclude the ongoing, informal evaluation of the superintendent's skills, abilities and competence.

The superintendent will be an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by:

• Mission, Vision and Core Values:  Develop, advocate and enact a shared mission, vision, and core values of high-quality education and academic success and well-being of each student.

• Ethics and Professional Norms:  Act ethically and according to professional norms to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

• Equity and Cultural Responsiveness:  Strive for equity of educational opportunity and culturally responsive practices to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

• Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment:  Develop and support intellectually rigorous and coherent systems of curriculum, instruction and assessment to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

• Community Care and Support for Students:  Cultivate an inclusive, caring and supportive school community that promotes the academic success and well-being of each student.

• Professional Capacity of School Personnel:  Develop the professional capacity and practice of school personnel to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

• Professional Community for Teachers and Staff:  Foster a professional community of teachers and professional staff to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.  

• Meaningful Engagement of Families and Community:  Engage families and the community in meaningful, reciprocal, and mutually beneficial ways to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

• Operations and Management:  Manage school operations and resources to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

• School Improvement:  Act as an agent of continuous improvement to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

The formal evaluation will be based upon the following principle:

• The evaluation criteria will be in writing, clearly stated and mutually agreed upon by the board and the superintendent.  The criteria will be related to the job description, the Iowa Standards for School Leaders, the school district’s goals, and the goals of the administrator's individual professional development plan;
• At a minimum, the evaluation process will be conducted annually at a time agreed upon;
• Each board member will have an opportunity to individually evaluate the superintendent, and these individual evaluations will be compiled into an overall evaluation by the entire board;
• The superintendent will conduct a self-evaluation prior to discussing the board’s evaluation, and the board as a whole will discuss its evaluation with the superintendent;
• The board may discuss its evaluation of the superintendent in closed session upon the request from the superintendent and if the board determines its discussion in open session will needlessly and irreparably injure the superintendent’s reputation; and,
• The individual evaluation by each board member, if individual board members so desire, will not be reviewed by the superintendent.  Board members are encouraged to communicate their criticisms and concerns to the superintendent in the closed session.

The board president will develop a written summary of the individual evaluations, including both the strengths and the weaknesses of the superintendent, and place it in the superintendent’s personnel file to be incorporated into the next cycle of evaluations.

This policy supports and does not preclude the ongoing, informal evaluation of the superintendent’s skills, abilities and competence.

Legal Reference:        
(Code of Iowa)
Chapters 279.8, .20, .23, .23A (2007); 281
I.A.C. Chapter 83; 12.3(4).

Date of Adoption:               
June 19, 1989                                                             

Date of Review:
August 9, 2021

In the absence of the superintendent, it is the responsibility of the other administrators to assume the superintendent's duties. 

If the absence of the superintendent is temporary, the high school principal will assume only those duties and responsibilities of the superintendent that require immediate action.  If the board determines the absence of the superintendent will be a lengthy one, the board will appoint an acting superintendent to assume the responsibilities of the superintendent.  The successor will assume the duties when the successor learns of the superintendent's absence or when assigned by the superintendent or the board.

References to "superintendent" in this policy manual will mean the "superintendent or the superintendent's designee" unless otherwise stated in the board policy.

Legal Reference:        
Iowa Code § 279.8 (2013).
281 I.A.C. 12.4(4).

Date of Adoption:                                                      
March 14, 2005

Date of Review:                                                      
February 8, 2020