Each year after July 1 and prior to the organizational meeting of the Board, the Board shall hold its annual meeting.

At the annual meeting, the Board shall examine the financial books and settle the secretary’s and treasurer’s statements for the fiscal year ending the preceding June 30.  As part of the annual reports, the treasurer shall present affidavits from depository banks.

The Board, at this meeting, shall also appoint a board secretary and a board treasurer.  In the Board’s discretion, one individual may serve as both the secretary and treasurer.  The Board may also appoint the board’s legal counsel.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§279.3, .33 (2000)

Cross Reference:  206.3    Secretary
                                       206.4    Treasurer
                                       701.1    Depository of Funds
                                       707        Fiscal Reports

Approved:  8-11-14              
Reviewed:  8-14-23              
Revised:  8-13-01

The regular meeting time and date shall be set by the Board at its organizational meeting each September.  Regular meetings of the Board will be held on the second (2^nd) Monday of each month except in September when the regular meeting shall be held on the Monday following the canvass of the election results.  These meetings will be held at the Board Room in Bennett.

The meetings shall begin promptly at 7:00 p.m.  If the second (2^nd) Monday should fall on a day designated for a specific purpose by the local, state, or federal governments, the board shall meet on another date so specified by the Board.

The Board shall adhere to this meeting date unless the Board requires additional meetings or, due to circumstances beyond the Board’s control, the meeting could not be held on the regular meeting date.  Public notice shall be given for meetings in compliance with the law.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§21.4, 279.1 (1991)

Cross Reference:  200.2    Organization of the Board of Directors
                                       211.3    Special Meeting
                                       211.5    Meeting Notice

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

From time to time, it may be necessary to conduct a board meeting instead of or in addition to the regularly scheduled board meeting.  Special meetings may be called by the president of the board or by the board secretary at the request of a majority of the board.  Should a special meeting be called, public notice shall be given.

If the special meeting called is an emergency meeting and board cannot give public notice in its usual manner, the board shall give advance public notice of the meeting as soon as practical and possible in light of the circumstances surrounding the emergency.  The reason for the emergency meeting and why notice in its usual manner could not be given shall be stated in the minutes.

Only the purpose or issue for which the special meeting was called may be discussed and decided in the special meeting.  The board shall strictly adhere to the agenda for the special meeting and action on other issues shall be reserved for the next scheduled regular school board meeting.

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

Work sessions for the Board may be conducted to discuss issues in depth.  A work session may be called by a majority of the Board, the board president or the board secretary upon the written request of a majority of the Board.  Should a work session be called, public notice shall be given.

Action will not be taken on an issue in a work session.  Minutes will be kept of the discussion on the issues discussed by the Board.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§21.4, 279.2 (1991)

Cross Reference:  200.2    Organization of Board of Directors
                                       211.2    Regular Meeting
                                       211.5    Meeting Notice

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

Public notice of regular or special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be provided by posting the agenda on a bulletin board at the central administration office and at the site of the board meeting.  Notice shall be given at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the commencement of each meeting, and should include the time, date, place and tentative agenda.  Notice shall be provided to the news media and to others who have filed a request for notice with the secretary of the Board.  All requests for notice must be renewed annually.

Notice of the call of a special meeting shall be given to each Board member in writing and mailed to the Board member’s home at least twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting.  The notice shall specify the time, date, place, and purpose (tentative agenda) of the meeting.  Attendance at the special meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice.

An emergency meeting may be called with less than twenty-four (24) hour notice when the board is required to meet for good cause and to take immediate action.  In an emergency, when it is not possible to give twenty-four (24) hours notice, the board secretary shall notify the media who have requested notification, by telephone, and post the meeting notice, as far in advance of the meeting as possible.  The minutes of such an “emergency” meeting should clearly state the good cause justifying the emergency meeting.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§21.4, 279.1, .2 (1991)

Cross Reference:  200.2    Organization of the Board of Directors
                                       211.2    Regular Meeting
                                       211.3    Special Meeting
                                       214        Board of Directors Meeting Agenda

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

The majority of the full membership of the Board of Directors constitutes a quorum and must be present for the transaction of business.  The adjournment of a meeting may be executed without a quorum.

An affirmative vote of a majority of the board members present shall be sufficient to pass a motion or take action unless law or board policy requires a vote of a greater number.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §279.4 (1991)

Cross Reference:  211.7    Rules of Order
                                       211.8    Methods of Voting

Approved:  2-20-08              
Reviewed:  8-14-23              
Revised:             

An orderly board meeting allows the Board members to participate in the discussion and decision about an issue confronting the school district.  Rules of order for board meetings allow school district business and the relative information concerning the business to be brought to the attention of the Board.  They also allow the Board to discuss, act upon and make a clear record of school district business in a regular, ordered, reasonable and consistent manner.

It shall be the responsibility of each Board member to follow the rules of order stated in this policy at each meeting, and it shall be the responsibility of the presiding officer to conduct the board meeting within these rules.

The Board shall follow Robert’s Rules of Order except as modified by the Board.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§21.7, 279.8 (1991)

Cross Reference:  206.1    President
                                       211.6    Quorum
                                       211.8    Methods of Voting

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

In keeping with the public nature of the meeting, votes by the Board, except those required by law to be roll call, shall be by voice of “aye” or “nay” unless a Board member requests a roll call vote.

It shall be the responsibility of the board secretary to record the vote of each Board member in the minutes of the school board meeting.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§21.3, 279.8 (1991)

Cross Reference:  211.6    Quorum
                                       211.7    Rules of Order
                                       213        Closed Meetings of the Board of Directors

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