Code No. 202.1
CODE OF ETHICS
The members of the Board of Directors of the Decorah Community School District adhere to the following Code of Ethics:
AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER:
1. I will listen.
2. I will respect the opinion of others.
3. I will recognize the integrity of my predecessors and associates and the merit of their work.
4. I will be motivated only by an earnest desire to serve my District and the children of my community in the best possible way.
5. I will not use the schools or any part of the school program for my own personal advantage or for the advantage of my friends or supporters.
6. I will adhere to the requirements of the Iowa Open Meetings law and to laws on protecting confidentiality of personal information.
7. I will recognize that to promise in advance of a meeting how I will vote on any proposition which is to be considered is to close my mind and agree not to think through other facts and points of view which may be presented in the meeting.
8. I will expect, in Board meetings, to spend more time on educational programs and procedures than on business details.
9. I will recognize that authority rests with the Board in legal session, and not with individual members of the Board, except as authorized by law.
10. I will make no disparaging remarks, in or out of the Board meeting, about other members of the Board or their opinions.
11. I will express my honest and most thoughtful opinions frankly, in Board meetings, in an effort to have all decisions made for the best interests of the children and the schools.
12. I will insist that all members of the Board participate fully in Board action, and recommend that when special committees are appointed, they serve only in an investigatory and advisory capacity.
13. I will abide by majority decisions of the Board.
14. I will carefully consider petitions, resolutions, and complaints, and will act upon them in the best interests of the schools.
15. I will not disclose the confidential business of the Board in my home, on the street, or in my office; the place for such discussion being the Board meeting.
16. I will endeavor to keep informed on all local, state, and national educational developments of significance so that I may become a better Board member.
IN MEETING MY RESPONSIBILITY TO MY COMMUNITY:
1. I will consider myself a trustee of public education and will do my best to protect it, conserve it, and advance it, giving to the children of my community the educational facilities that are as complete and adequate as it is possible to provide.
2. I will consider it an important responsibility of the Board to interpret the aims, methods and attitudes of the schools to the community.
3. I will earnestly try to interpret the needs and attitudes of the community and do my best to translate them into the educational program of the schools.
4. I will attempt to procure adequate financial support for the schools.
5. I will represent the entire District rather than individual electors, patrons, or groups.
6. I will not regard the schools as my own private property, but as the property of the people.
IN MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF:
1. I will function, in meeting the legal responsibility that is mine, as a part of a legislative, policy-forming body, not as an administrative officer.
2. I will recognize that it is my responsibility, together with that of my fellow Board members, to see that the schools are properly run -- not to run them myself.
3. I will expect the schools to be administered by the best-trained technical and professional people it is possible to procure.
4. I will recognize the Superintendent as executive officer of the Board.
5. I will work through the administrative employees of the Board, not over or around them.
6. I will expect the Superintendent to keep the Board adequately informed through oral and written reports.
7. I will vote to employ personnel only after the recommendation of the Superintendent has been received, except for employment of a new superintendent.
8. I will insist that contracts be equally binding on the employee and on the Board.
9. I will give the Superintendent power commensurate with his/her responsibility and will not in any way interfere with or seek to undermine his/her authority.
10. I will give the Superintendent friendly counsel and advice.
11. I will present any personal criticism of employees to the Superintendent.
12. I will refer complaints to the proper administrative officer.
TO COOPERATE WITH OTHER SCHOOL BOARDS:
1. I will not help to employ an employee who is already under contract with another school district without first securing assurance from the proper authority that the person can be released from contract.
2. I will consider it unethical to bid for the services of an employee or pursue any procedure calculated to embarrass a neighboring board or superintendent.
3. I will not recommend an employee for a position in another school unless I would employ said person under similar circumstances.
4. I will answer all inquiries about the standing and ability of an employee to the best of my knowledge and judgment, with complete frankness, being careful not to overpraise nor to be unduly critical.
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Date of Revision: December 11, 2017
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Legal References:
Chapters 21, 68B, 69, 71.1, 277.28, 279.7A, 279.8, Code of Iowa;
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Page 3 of 3 |
5. I will associate myself with school board members of other districts, both personally and in conferences, for the purposes of discussing school problems and cooperating in the improvement of public school conditions.
Date of Review: December 11, 2017
Code No. 202.2
General Powers and Duties
The Board of Directors shall establish policies for its own government and that of the directors, officers, employees and pupils, and for the care of the schoolhouses, grounds and property of the School District, and shall aid in the enforcement of these policies and rules promulgated thereunder.
The Board of Directors shall determine the number of buildings to be used.
The Board of Directors shall carry into effect any instruction from an election upon matters within the control of the voters.
The Board of Directors shall enter into all necessary contracts for exercising powers granted and for performing duties required by law. The Board of Directors may delegate to the superintendent or to the superintendent’s designee authority to enter into certain types of contracts on behalf of the District. Only those contracts approved by the Board of Directors or entered into by the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee pursuant to delegated authority shall be valid and binding upon the District.
It is recognized that the Board of Directors has three major roles:
Legislative - The Board of Directors represents the people of the District as a whole and will function as a policy-making body.
Executive - The Board of Directors selects the superintendent of schools as the District's chief executive officer and delegates to the superintendent the authority for formulating and overseeing rules, regulations, plans and administrative details, necessary to ensure that the policies of the Board and legal requirements are carried out in the daily operation of the schools.
Evaluation - The Board of Directors, through careful study and consideration of facts and conditions, determines whether the schools are operated efficiently and effectively based upon a sound philosophy of education and upon identified goals. The Board of Directors reviews the educational program and ancillary services periodically.
Date of Review: December 11, 2017
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Date of Revision: December 11, 2017
01436208 |
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Legal References: 257.18, 274.1, 274.2, 274.7, Chapter 279, Chapter 280, 282.3-282.5, 296.1, 297.1, 297.22, 298.1, 298.2, 298.10, 298.18, 298.21, 300.2,301.1, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C. 12.1(2), 12.8
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Code No. 202.3
President
The President of the Board of Directors is elected by a majority vote at the organizational meeting in odd-numbered years, or at the annual meeting in even-numbered years, to serve a one-year term of office. There is no limit on the number of times an individual may serve as President. The President may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the entire Board of Directors.
The President of the Board of Directors shall preside at all of its meetings, sign all warrants, drafts and orders as provided by law, sign all contracts made by the Board, and appear, when necessary, on behalf of the District in all actions brought by or against it.
The President is entitled to discuss, to make or second a motion, and to vote on all matters before the Board. Prior to making or seconding a motion, the President shall relinquish presiding duties to the Vice President or other Board member for purposes of that motion.
The President has the authority to call special meetings of the Board of Directors. Prior to Board meetings, the President shall consult with the Superintendent on the agenda.
It shall be the responsibility of the President to lead a well-organized Board in an effective and efficient manner. The President shall set the tone of the meetings, and as the representative of the consensus of the Board, speak on behalf of the Board to the public.
Date of Review: December 11, 2017
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Date of Revision: December 11, 2017
01436210 |
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Legal References:
279.1, 279.2, 279.5, 291.1, Code of Iowa
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Code No. 202.4
Vice President
After the President is elected, the Vice President of the Board of Directors shall be elected by a majority vote at the organizational meeting in odd-numbered years, or at the annual meeting in even-numbered years, to serve a one-year term of office. There is no limit on the number of times an individual may serve as Vice President. The Vice President may be removed by two-thirds vote of the entire Board of Directors.
The Vice President shall serve in the absence of the President and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President or by the Board of Directors. If the President is unable or unwilling to carry out required duties, it shall be the responsibility of the Vice President to carry out the duties of the President. If the President is unable or unwilling to complete the term of office, the Vice President shall serve as President for the balance of the President's term of office, and a new Vice President shall be elected by majority vote of the Board.
The Vice President is entitled to discuss, to make or second a motion, and to vote on all matters before the Board.
Date of Review: December 11, 2017
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Date of Revision: December 11, 2017
01436213 |
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Legal References:
279.1, 279.5, 279.8, Code of Iowa
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Code 202.5
Secretary
The Board of Directors shall appoint a Secretary at a regular or special meeting of the Board held prior to July in each year. The Secretary shall be appointed for a term of one year or until earlier removed. The Secretary may not be a member of the Board or a teacher in the District but may be another employee of the District.
The Secretary must qualify by taking oath of office and posting bond within 10 days of appointment. The bond shall be in such form and amount as determined by the Board.
The major duties of the Secretary include:
· Filing and preserving copies of all reports made and all papers transmitted pertaining to the business of the District. The Secretary shall be the custodian of public records.
· Keeping complete minutes of all Board meetings and keeping records of all elections; assisting in preparing Board agendas.
· Causing publications to be made of Board proceedings and other notices, as required by law.
· Keeping an accurate and separate account of each school fund.
· Keeping and publishing an accurate account of all bills and presenting them to the Board for audit and approval for payment.
· Drawing warrants for claims allowed by the Board; countersigning and keeping a record of all warrants showing the fund upon which the warrant is drawn, the date, name of payee, purpose and the amount.
· Receiving all monies belonging to the District.
· Depositing school funds in financial institutions designated by the Board as official depositories and filing with the County Treasurer and the Treasurer of the State a list of such depositories with any changes authorized by the Board.
· Completing and maintaining a record of invested funds and of interest earned thereon.
· Filing reports and other information with the Area Education Agency and/or the State Department of Education.
· Reporting to the Department of Education, the county auditor, and the county treasurer the names and addresses of the President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer of the Board as soon as practical after each such officer has qualified.
· Requesting reports from accredited nonpublic schools.
· Preparing yearly reports on all resident children of compulsory attendance age as required by law.
· Receiving enrollment requests and reports and reporting any violation of the truancy law.
· Receiving nomination papers and filing them with the county commissioner of elections.
· Preparing an annual financial report.
· Supervising the payroll and the items withheld for taxes and other approved reasons.
· Preparing and mailing or delivering and receiving notices to and from teachers, administrators, or other employees relating to termination of contracts.
· Performing such other duties from time to time as may be required by the Board, the Superintendent, or by law.
Date of Review: December 11, 2017
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Date of Revision: February 9, 2004
603136
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Legal References:
11.6(1), 12B.10-.12, Chapter 12C, Chapters 21, 22, 24; and 26, 74, 74A, 274.13, 277.4, 277.7, 277.28, 277.31, 277.32, 278.2, 279.2, 279.3, 279.5, 279.6, 279.7,279.8, 279.15, 279.16, 279.17, 279.18, 279.19A, 279.23, 279.24, 279.29, 279.30, 279.32, 279.33, 279.35, 280.14, 282.1, 282.18, 282.20, 282.21, 282.31, 283.A5, 285.3 290.2, Chapter 291, 294.4, Chapter 298, Chapter 298A, 299.3, 299.4, 299.5A, 299.7, 299.10, 299.15, 299.16, 299A.5, 299A.8, 301.1; Code of Iowa, 281 I.A.C. 12.3(1)
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Code No. 202.6
TREASURER
The Decorah Community School District has designated the Treasurer as Director of Business Services. The salary of the Treasurer/Director of Business Services shall be set by the Board.
The Board of Directors shall appoint a Treasurer at a regular or special meeting of the Board held prior to July in each year. The Treasurer shall be appointed for a term of one year or until earlier removed. The Treasurer may not be a member of the Board or a teacher in the District but may be another employee of the District.
The Treasurer must qualify by taking oath of office and posting bond within l0 days of appointment. The bond shall be in such form and amount as determined by the Board.
The major duties of the Treasurer include:
DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Page 1 of 2
Code No. 202.6
TREASURER
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Date of Revision: December 11, 2017
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Legal References:
11.6(1), 12B.10-.12, Chapter 12C, Chapter 24; Chapters 74 and 74A, 277.28, 277.31, 277.32, 279.3, 279.6, 279.8, 279.29, 279.31-279.33, 279.35, 280.14, 282.1, 282.31, Chapter 291, Chapter 298, Chapter 298A, Code of Iowa, 281 I.A.C. 12.3(1)
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Page 2 of 2 |
Date of Review: December 11, 2017