201 GENERAL ORGANIZATION

*Reviewed: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 09/19/11
*Reviewed: 03/14/16
*Reviewed: 03/08/21
 

201.1 NAME OF DISTRICT

This District is organized and known as Glenwood Community School District, located in the County of Mills and Pottawattamie, State of Iowa.
 
*Revised: 12/08/97
*Revised: 09/16/02
*Revised: 01/10/05
*Reviewed: 12/13/10
*Reviewed:  09/19/11
*Reviewed: 03/14/16
*Revised: 03/08/21

201.2 LEGAL STATUS OF THE BOARD

The Board of the District derives its legal status from the constitution of the State of Iowa and the statutes enacted by the General Assembly.  The Board acts as an agent of the state in developing an educational program in accordance with the constitution and laws of the State of Iowa.
 
The District exists as a school corporation and, as such, may sue and be sued, hold property, and exercise all the powers granted by law.  It has exclusive jurisdiction in all school matters in the school corporation territory. The affairs of the corporation will be conducted by the Board  consisting of five (5) members - who are elected at-large and not by director districts.

 

 
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Reviewed: 01/10/05
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Revised: 09/19/11
*Reviewed: 03/14/16
*Revised: 03/08/21
 

 

201.3 GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD

Under Iowa law, the Board shall make rules for its own government and that of the teachers and pupils, for the care of the schoolhouses, grounds, and property of the District, 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 has three major kinds of duties:
 
  1. Legislative:    The Board represents the people of the District and will function as a policymaking body. The Board has complete jurisdiction over the District and its employees.
  1. Executive:     The Board selects an executive officer, the Superintendent of schools, and delegates to him or her authority for formulating and overseeing all regulations, plans, and administrative details necessary to ensure the policies of the Board are carried out in the daily operation of the schools.
  1. Evaluation:     It is the Boards' duty to determine, through careful study and examination of facts and conditions, whether the schools are being operated efficiently - not only in fiscal terms, but in terms of the effectiveness of the schools' instructional program based on a sound philosophy of education as formulated by the Board.
 
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Reviewed: 01/10/05
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 09/19/11
*Revised: 03/14/16
*Revised: 03/08/21
 

201.4 ELECTIONS TO THE BOARD

ELECTIONS TO THE BOARD
 
The election of citizens to the Board takes place on the second Tuesday in September of odd-numbered years. Each school election is used to elect citizens to the Board and to address questions that are submitted to the voters.
 
There shall be a written notice of all regular and special elections, which notice shall be given by publication ‑ not less than four (4) nor more than twenty (20) days prior to the day set for the election.
 
Citizens of the District community seeking a seat on the Board must file their nomination papers with the Board secretary consistent with the deadlines provided in Iowa law.
 
If a vacancy occurs on the Board, it may be filled by an appointment consistent with Iowa law.  If the Board chooses to appoint, the Board Secretary shall post notice of the Board’s intent to fill the vacancy by appointment in the district newspaper of general circulation. The notice must state the electors of the District have the right to file a petition requiring the vacancy be filled by special election. The Board may appoint to fill the vacancy after the notice is published or after the vacancy occurs, whichever is later. The newly-appointed Board member will hold the position until the next scheduled school election. However, if the next regular school election is within 180 days or less, then an appointment to fill the vacancy until the next regular school election may be made.
 
If the Board does not fill the vacancy by appointment or if a valid petition is filed within 14 days of notice, the Board secretary will call for a special election to fill the vacancy. Candidates for a seat created by a vacancy must file their nomination papers with the Board secretary consistent with the deadlines provided in Iowa law.
 
All elections will be held as provided in Iowa law.  It is the responsibility of the county commissioner of elections to conduct school elections.
 
Precincts and polling places are approved by the commissioner of elections and, once approved, shall remain the same unless changed by the commissioner.
 
Balloting at school elections will be by printed ballot or by the use of voting machines as determined by the commissioner of elections.
The county commissioner of elections may appoint one or more deputy(s) to conduct a school election.
 
*Revised: 12/08/97
*Revised: 06/16/02
*Revised: 01/10/05
*Revised: 02/12/07
*Revised: 09/08/09
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 09/19/11
*Revised: 04/04/16
*Revised: 03/08/21
 

201.5 MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD

Qualifications of Board Candidates
 
Any qualified elector of the District is eligible to serve as a director/member of the Board.
 
A "qualified elector" is a person who is:
  • a citizen of the United States;
  • eighteen years of age or older; and
  • a registered elector of the District or sub‑district.
Nomination petitions must be filed in the manner prescribed by law.
Oath of Office
 
Each director/member elected in a regular election will qualify by taking the oath of office on or before the time set for the organization meeting of the Board (second Monday in September).  Each director/member appointed or elected at a special election will qualify within ten (10) days by taking the oath of office.  The election or appointment and qualifications will be entered by the Board secretary.  The oath may be administered by any qualified member of the Board or by the Board secretary in the manner and form prescribed by law.
 
Number of Members
The Board shall consist of five (5) directors/members.

 

 
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Reviewed: 01/10/05
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 09/19/11
*Revised: 03/14/16
*Revised: 03/08/21
 

 

201.6 OATH OF OFFICE, BOARD MEMBERS

OATH OF OFFICE, BOARD MEMBERS

The oath may be administered by a qualified Board member or by the Board secretary during the Board meeting, usually the organizational meeting, in the following form:

Do you solemnly swear you will support the Constitution of the United States, the laws of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Iowa, and the laws of the State of Iowa, and you will faithfully and impartially, to the best of your ability, discharge the duties of the office of (naming the office) in Glenwood Community School District as now and hereafter required by law?

*Reviewed:  09/16/02
*Reviewed:  01/10/05
*Revised:  12/13/10
*Reviewed:  09/19/11
*Revised: 04/04/16
*Reviewed: 03/08/21
 

 

201.7 TERM OF OFFICE OF BOARD MEMBERS

TERM OF OFFICE OF BOARD MEMBERS
 
Each member of the Board is elected for a term of four (4) years or for the time it takes to complete the unexpired term of a regularly elected member.
 
Each member appointed by the Board will serve until a successor is elected at the next pending election and qualifies by taking the oath of office.
 
*Reviewed:  09/16/02
*Reviewed:  01/10/05
*Revised:  09/08/09
*Revised:  12/13/10
*Reviewed:  09/19/11
*Revised: 04/04/16
*Revised: 03/08/21
 

201.8 ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD

The Board shall elect a President and Vice-President to hold office for a one-year term. The annual organizational meeting of the Board shall be held at the first regular meeting, which shall occur bi-annually after a regular school election, and shall be called to order by the President.
 
*Revised:  12/08/97
*Reviewed:  09/16/02
*Reviewed:  01/10/05
*Revised:  12/13/10
*Reviewed:  09/19/11
*Reviewed: 04/04/16
*Reviewed: 03/08/21
 

 

201.9 BOARD VACANCIES

BOARD VACANCIES

If a vacancy occurs on the Board, it may be filled by an appointment consistent with Iowa law.  If the Board chooses to appoint, the Board Secretary shall post notice of the Board’s intent to fill the vacancy by appointment in the District newspaper of general circulation. The notice must state the electors of the school district have the right to file a petition requiring the vacancy be filled by special election. The Board may appoint to fill the vacancy after the notice is published or after the vacancy occurs, whichever is later. The newly-appointed Board member will hold the position until the next scheduled school election. However, if the next regular school election is within 180 days or less, then an appointment to fill the vacancy until the next regular school election may be made.

If the Board does not fill the vacancy by appointment or if a valid petition is filed within 14 days of notice, the Board secretary will call for a special election to fill the vacancy. Candidates for a seat created by a vacancy must file their nomination papers with the Board secretary consistent with the deadlines provided in Iowa law.

All elections will be held as provided in Iowa law. It is the responsibility of the county commissioner of elections to conduct school elections.

A vacancy will exist if there is a failure to elect at the proper election or to appoint within the time fixed by law; if an incumbent ceases to be a resident of the district or sub‑district; if an incumbent or officer‑elect resigns or passes away; if an incumbent forfeits his office; if a competent tribunal declares his/her office vacant; if an incumbent is convicted of an infamous crime or of any public offense involving the violation of his oath of office; or if a court order removes a Board member for engaging in and having had damages assessed against the Board member for three violations of the open meetings law of the Iowa Code.

 

*Revised:10/10/94
*Reviewed:06/16/02
*Reviewed:01/10/05
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 09/19/11
*Revised: 04/04/16
*Reviewed: 03/08/21
 

201.10 NEW BOARD MEMBER'S ORIENTATION AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Superintendent and Board President will be responsible for providing a review of all District functions with new members of the Board. This review shall be available to all other Board members. In order to perform their responsibilities to the electorate, the State and students, members are encouraged to participate in professional development activities, including workshops sponsored by local, state and national Boards and education associations. Board members are encouraged to report back to the Board with materials of interest gathered at the various meetings and workshops.
 
*Adopted: 03/14/16
*Revised: 03/08/21