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 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 should 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 the facts and make a decision.  The board believes an individual considering a position on the school board should possess these characteristics.

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 (2011).

Cross Reference:  201      Board of Directors’ Elections
                                    202.4  Vacancies
                                      203      Board of Directors’ Conflict of Interest

Adopted:         01/20/1983
Revised:          06/17/2002
Reviewed:       02/20/2023

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 is taken by each new board member elected at the annual 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 will take the oath of office within ten days of the appointment or election.

Board members elected to offices of the board will also take the same oath of office but replacing the office of board member with the title of the office to which they were elected.

The oath of office is administered by the board secretary and does not need to be given at a board meeting.  In the event the board secretary is absent, another board member administers the oath.

“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 ____________________(naming the office) in the Edgewood-Colesburg CSD as now and hereafter required by law?”

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 277.28; 279.1; .6 (2011).

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

Adopted:               01/20/1983
Revised:                06/17/2002
Reviewed:            02/20/2023

Board members elected for a full term at a regularly scheduled school election in November of odd-numbered years serve for four (4) years.  Board members appointed to fill a vacant position will serve until the next scheduled school 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 (2011).

Cross Reference:  201      Board of Directors’ Elections
                                      202      Board of Directors’ Members

Adopted:         01/20/1987
Revised:          03/11/2024
Reviewed:       03/11/2024

A vacancy occurs when a board member resigns, forfeits or otherwise leaves the office.  A vacancy also includes, but is not limited to, the following:  failure to be properly elected, failure to qualify within the time fixed by law, failure to reside in the school district or director district, a court order.

If a vacancy occurs prior to the expiration of a term of office, the vacancy will be filled by board appointment within thirty (30) days of the vacancy.  The newly appointed board member will hold the position until the next scheduled school election.

If the board is unable to fill a vacancy by appointment within thirty (30) days after the vacancy occurs, the board secretary will call a special election to be held no sooner than sixty (60) days and not later than seventy (70) days after the vacancy occurred.  A board member elected at the special election will serve the remaining portion of the un-expired term.

Legal Reference:  Good vs. Crouch, 397 N.W. 2d, 757 (Iowa 1989).
                                     Board of Directors of Grimes Independent School District vs. County Board of Public instruction of Polk Co., 257 Iowa 106, 131 N.W. 2d 802 (1965).
                                     910, 36 N.W. 2d 751 (1949).
                                     Iowa Code  §§ 21.6(3)(d); 69l 277.29-.30; 279.6,.7 (2011).
                                     1944 Op. Att’y Gen. 39.

Cross Reference:  201         Board of Directors’ Elections
                                      202       Board of Directors’ Members

Adopted:               01/20/1983
Revised:                03/19/2012
Reviewed:             02/20/2023