The Board believes its primary function is to set policy.  The policy should be in written form to provide guidelines and goals for daily operations of the school district.

Policies are principles adopted by the school board to chart a course of action.  They tell what is wanted; they may include why and how much.  Policies should be broad enough to indicate a line of action to be followed by the administration in meeting a number of problems; narrow enough to give clear guidance.  Policies are guides for action by the administration, which then sets the rules and regulations to provide specific directions to school district personnel.

The Board exercises its leadership role by its involvement in the development and adoption of written policy.  The Board exercises its control over the district by evaluating the reports concerning the execution of the written policy.

Policies may be proposed by any member of the Board, employee, citizen, student, superintendent, etc.  All policy proposals shall be submitted to the Board, through the superintendent of schools, prior to a regular or special Board meeting.  It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to bring these proposals to the attention of the Board.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§274.1, .2, 279.8, 280.12 (1991)
                                       281 Iowa Admin. Code 12.3(2)

Cross Reference:  200.4    Responsibilities of the Board
                                       210.2    Adoption of Policy
                                       210.3    Dissemination of Policy
                                       210.4    Suspension of Policy
                                       210.5    Administration in Absence of Policy
                                       210.6    Review and Revision of Policy
                                       210.7    Review of Administrative Regulations

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  8-14-23              
Revised:             

The adoption of new policies or amending or rescinding an existing policy is the exclusive responsibility of the Board.  Any formal action to add, modify, or change existing Board policy will be by a majority vote of the membership of the Board during an open meeting.  The proposed change must appear as an agenda item in normal situations at least two times before the Board may take official action to approve suggested changes to Board policy.

If passed, the proposal will become effective upon the date of passage or at a time stated in the proposal, whichever occurs last.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §279.8 (1991)
                                       281 Iowa Admin. Code 12.3(2)

Cross Reference:  200.4    Responsibilities of the Board
                                       210.1    Development of Policy
                                       210.3    Dissemination of Policy
                                       210.4    Suspension of Policy
                                       210.5    Administration in Absence of Policy
                                       210.6    Review and Revision of Policy
                                       210.7    Review of Administrative Regulations

Approved:  8-8-11                
Reviewed:  8-14-23              
Revised:  2-10-92

A board policy manual shall be housed in each office and online.  Each school board member shall have their own personal copy of the board policy manual.

It shall be the responsibility of the board secretary to ensure that copies of new and revised policy statements are distributed to the custodians of board policy manuals within ten (10) working days of the change or addition to the manual.  Copies of changes in board policy shall also be attached to the minutes of the meetings in which the final action was taken to adopt the new or changed policy.

It shall be the responsibility of each board member, during their term of office, to surrender the manual to the board secretary at the conclusion of their term of office.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§277.31, 279.8 (1991)
                                       281 Iowa Admin. Code 12.3(2)

Cross Reference:  200.4    Responsibilities of the Board
                                       210.1    Development of Policy
                                       210.2    Adoption of Policy
                                       210.4    Suspension of Policy
                                       210.5    Administration in Absence of Policy
                                       210.6    Review and Revision of Policy
                                       210.7    Review of Administrative Regulations

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  8-14-23              
Revised:  8-18-20

Generally, the board shall follow board policy and enforce it equitably.  The board may, in extreme emergencies of a very unique nature, suspend policy.  It shall be within the discretion of the board to determine when an extreme emergency of a very unique nature exists.

Board policy shall not be suspended by the administration or school district personnel.  Policy may only be suspended by the Board.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §279.8 (1991)
                                       281 Iowa Admin. Code 12.3(2)

Cross Reference:  200.4    Responsibilities of the Board
                                       210.1    Development of Policy
                                       210.2    Adoption of Policy
                                       210.3    Dissemination of Policy
                                       210.5    Administration in Absence of Policy
                                       210.6    Review and Revision of Policy
                                       210.7    Review of Administrative Regulations

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  8-14-23              
Revised:             

When there is no board policy in existence to provide guidance on a matter before the administration, the superintendent is authorized to act appropriately under the circumstances surrounding the situation keeping in mind the mission of the school district.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to inform the board of the situation and the action taken.  The superintendent shall draft a proposed policy for the board to discuss at a board meeting.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §279.8 (1991)
                                       281 Iowa Admin. Code 12.3(2)

Cross Reference:  101        Educational Philosophy of the School District
                                       200.4    Responsibilities of the Board
                                       210.1    Development of Policy
                                       210.2    Adoption of Policy
                                       210.3    Dissemination of Policy
                                       210.4    Suspension of Policy
                                       210.6    Review and Revision of Policy
                                       210.7    Review of Administrative Regulations

Approved:  2-10-92              
Reviewed:  8-14-23              
Revised:             

The Board shall, at least once every three years, meet as a committee of the whole to review the board policy manual.  If the policy has been reviewed, a notation of the month and year of review shall be made in the Table of Contents of each series.  If the policy has been revised, a notation of the month and year of revision shall be made on the face of the policy statement.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to keep the Board informed as to the law changes at both the federal and state levels.  The superintendent shall also be responsible for bringing proposed policy statement revisions in compliance with new laws to the board’s attention.  The board of directors shall notify all employees whenever revisions, additions, amendments and/or deletions are made.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §279.8 (1991)
                                       281 Iowa Admin. Code 12.3(2)

Cross Reference:  101        Educational Philosophy of the School District
                                       200.4    Responsibilities of the Board
                                       210.1    Development of Policy
                                       210.2    Adoption of Policy
                                       210.3    Dissemination of Policy
                                       210.4    Suspension of Policy
                                       210.5    Administration in Absence of Policy
                                       210.7    Review of Administrative Regulations

Approved:  8-11-14              
Reviewed:  8-14-23              
Revised:  3-13-95

Administrative regulations shall be developed by the superintendent or a designee.

Although the Board wishes to be kept informed of regulations that are written to implement its policies, it will not formally review, change, or veto administrative regulations unless they are, in the Board’s judgment, contrary of the intent established Board policy.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §279.8 (1991)

Cross Reference:  101        Educational Philosophy of the School District
                                       200.4    Responsibilities of the Board
                                       210.1    Development of Policy
                                       210.2    Adoption of Policy
                                       210.3    Dissemination of Policy
                                       210.4    Suspension of Policy
                                       210.5    Administration in Absence of Policy        
                                       210.6    Review and Revision of Policy
                                       306        Development and Enforcement of Administrative Rules

Approved:  1-14-91              
Reviewed:  8-14-23              
Revised:  2-10-92