Code No. 202.1
QUALIFICATIONS
Serving on the board of directors is an honor and privilege. Its rewards are respect from the community, students, and employees and the satisfaction from knowing each board member contributed to the success of the children in the school district community. Only those who are willing to put forth the effort to care and to make a difference should consider running for a position on the board.
Individuals who are willing to serve on the board believe public education is important, support the democratic process, willingly devote time and energy to board work, respect educators and have the ability to examine facts and make a decision.
Citizens wanting to run for a position on the board must be a citizen of the school district, an eligible elector of the district and free from a financial conflict of interest with the position.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code 63; 68B; 277.4, .27; 279.7A (1995).
Cross Reference: 201 Board of Directors’ Elections
202.4 Vacancies
203 Board of Directors’ Conflict of Interest
Approved Dec. 10, 2001
Revised April 14, 2008 '
Reviewed January 8, 2018
Code No. 202.2
OATH OF OFFICE
Board members are officials of the state. As a public official, each board member must pledge to uphold the Iowa and the United States Constitution and carry out the responsibilities of the office to the best of the board member's ability.
Each newly-elected board member will take the oath of office prior to any action taken as a school official. The oath of office shall be taken by each new board member elected at the school election at or before the organizational meeting of the board. In the event of an appointment or special election to fill a vacancy, the new board member shall take the oath of office within ten days of the appointment or election.
The following oath of office shall be administered by the board secretary and does not need to be given at a board meeting.
"Do you solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Iowa, and that you will faithfully and impartially to the best of your ability discharge the duties of the office of board member in the Chariton Community School District as now and hereafter required by law?"
Legal Reference: Iowa Code 277.28; 279.1, .6 (1995).
Cross Reference: 200.1 Organization of the Board of Directors
201 Board of Directors’ Elections
202 Board of Directors Members
204 Code of Ethics
206 Board of Directors’ Officers
Approved Dec. 10, 2001
Revised December 8, 2008
Reviewed January 8, 2018
Code No. 202.3
TERM OF OFFICE
Board members elected for a full term at a regularly scheduled school election in November, of odd-numbered years, serve for four years. Board members appointed to fill a vacant position will serve until the next scheduled school election, unless there is an intervening special election for the school district, in which event a successor shall be elected at the intervening special election. A board member elected to fill a vacancy will serve out the unexpired term.
Being a board member is a unique opportunity for a citizen to participate on a governing board of the school district. Eligible board members are encouraged to consider running for more than one term.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code 69.12; 274.7; 279.6-.7 (1995).
Cross Reference: 201 Board of Directors’ Elections
202 Board of Directors Members
Approved Dec. 10, 2001
Reviewed April 8, 2013
Revised January 8, 2018
Code No. 202.4
VACANCIES
A vacancy occurs as provided by law, which includes but is not limited to when a board member dies, resigns or leaves office. or fails to reside in the school district or director district..
If a vacancy occurs prior to the expiration of a term of office, the vacancy may be filled by board appointment within thirty days of the vacancy. The newly-appointed board member shall hold the position until the next scheduled school election. At that time the appointed board member may run for a three year term, if one is available, or run for the remainder of the unexpired term.
If the board does not fill a vacancy by appointment within thirty days after the vacancy occurs, the board secretary shall call a special election to be held no sooner than sixty days and not later than seventy days after the vacancy occurred. A board member elected at the special election shall serve the remaining portion of the unexpired term.
Legal Reference: Good v. Crouch, 397 N. W. 2d 757 (Iowa 1986). Board of
Directors of Grimes ISD v. Polk Co. Board of Public Instruction, 257 Iowa 106, 131 N. W. 2d 802 (1965).
Board of Directors of Menlo Consol. School Dist. V. Blakesburg, 240 Iowa 910, 36 N. W. 2d 751 (1949).
Iowa Code 21.6 (3) (d); 69; 277.29-.30; 279.6-.7 (1995). 1944 Op. Att’y. Gen. 39.
Cross Reference: 201 Board of Directors’ Elections
202 Board of Directors Members
Approved May 12, 2008
Reviewed April 8, 2013
Revised January 8, 2018