In this series of the board policy manual, the board shall define its role in the governance of the school district and how it will carry out that role in the school district community and in the school district.

The ultimate goal of the board shall be to achieve the educational philosophy of the school district.  As school officials elected by the members of the school district community, the board shall strive to represent the needs and wishes of the members of the school district community in its deliberations and actions.

While the board shall be aware of the desires of the school district community, the needs of the students in the Bennett Community School District shall be considered above others.  The board shall strive to meet the needs of the students through evaluation of the financial and educational benefits of the various alternatives available to the board and the school district.

 

 

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  6-12-23              
Revised:             

 

The Board of Directors of the Bennett Community School District derives its legal status from the constitution of the State of Iowa and the statutes enacted by the General Assembly.  The Board of Directors 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 Board shall consist of five (5) board members, all of whom shall be elected at large.

The Board of Directors is organized for the purpose of setting policy and providing general direction for the Bennett Community School District.  The Board of Directors shall hold its organizational meeting in odd-numbered years at the first regular meeting following the canvassing of election results.  The old Board of Directors shall transfer materials, including the board policy manual, and responsibility to the new Board of Directors.

 

Meeting Procedure

The organizational meeting of the board will be held in two parts:  the final meeting of the outgoing board and the organizational meeting of the new board.

1. Final Meeting of the Retiring Board

1. Call to order
2. Roll call
3. Approval of minutes of previous meeting(s)
4. Visitors
5. Unfinished business

1. Current claims and accounts (for the retiring board to authorize.)

6. Examine and settle the books for the previous year
7. Review of election results. The board secretary will present the county auditor’s official report on the latest elections.  Official results are recorded in the minutes.
8. Adjournment of the retiring board.

 

2. Organizational Meeting of the New Board

1. The board secretary, as president pro-tem, will preside over the meeting until a new board president is elected.
2. Call to order
3. Roll call
4. Oath of office. The board secretary will administer the oath to new members.
5. Election of a president of the board. The president pro-tem calls for nominations; nominations need not be seconded.  The board will then vote on the nominations.  The secretary will announce the result of the vote, and the board secretary will administer the oath of office to the newly elected president and newly elected president will assume the chair.
6. Election of the vice-president.  The president of the board will call for nominations; the nominations need not be seconded.  The board will then vote on the nominations.  The president will announce the results and administer the oath of office to the vice-president.

Other items of business at the organizational meeting may include:

7. Board resolution of appreciation recognizing the public service rendered by retiring board members.
8. Determination of dates, times, and places for regular meetings of the board
9. Board resolution to define the operating rules and practices that will be followed by the new board
10. Board resolution to authorize the interim payment of bills pursuant to policy 705.3
11. Visitors
12. Superintendent's report
13. Adjournment

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§274.2, 277.28, .31, 279.1, .5, .7 (1991)
                                       281  Iowa Admin. Code 12.2(2)

Cross Reference:  100        Legal Status of School District
                                       200.3    Powers of the Board of Directors
                                       202        Board of Directors Members
                                       211.1    Annual Meeting

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  6-12-23              
Revised:  3-13-17

 

The Board of Directors of the Bennett Community School District, acting on behalf of the school district, shall have jurisdiction over school matters in the territory of the school district.

The Board is empowered to make policy for its own governance, for the administration and staff, and for the school facilities.  The Board is also empowered to enforce its policies.  The Board may, through its quasi-judicial power, conduct hearings and rule on issues and disputes confronting the school district.

The Board has these powers and all other powers expressly granted to it in federal and state law as well as the powers that can be reasonably implied from the express powers.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code Chapter 28E, §§274.1, .2, 279.8 (1991)
                                       281 Iowa Admin. Code 12.1(2)

Cross Reference:  100        Legal Status of the School District
                                       200.4    Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
                                       210        Board of Directors Management Procedures

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  6-12-23              
Revised:             

 

The Board of Directors is authorized to govern the school district which it oversees.  As the governing board of the school district, the board has three (3) duties to perform: legislative duty, executive duty and its evaluative duty.

As a representative of the citizens of the district community, the Board is responsible for legislating policy for the school district.  As a policymaking body, the Board has jurisdiction to enact policy with the force and effect of law for the management and operation of the school district.

It is the responsibility of the Board, under the Board’s executive duty, to select its executive officer, the superintendent, to operate the school district on the Board’s behalf.  The Board shall delegate to the superintendent its authority to carry out board policy, to formulate and carry out all rules and regulations and to handle the administrative details in a manner which supports board policies.

The Board has a responsibility to review the educational program’s performance under its evaluative duty.  The Board shall review the educational program and ancillary services periodically.  This review is concerned with not only the amount of funds received or expended, but also with the educational program’s ability to achieve the mission statement of the board for the school district.  The review shall include a careful study and examination of the facts, conditions, and circumstances surrounding the program or service.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§274.1, 279.1, .8, .15, .16, .20, .23-.25 (1991)

Cross Reference:  105        Educational and Operational Planning
                                       210.6    Review and Revision of Policy
                                       210.7    Review of Administrative Regulations
                                       600        Goals and Objectives of the Educational Program

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  6-12-23              
Revised: