401.4 Individual Contracts

Code No. 401.4

INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS

Contracts with Administrators:

 The length of the contract for employment between an administrator and the Board will be determined by the Board and stated in the contract.  The contract will also state the terms of the employment.  A contract is invalid if the administrator is under contract with another board of directors in Iowa covering the same period of time until such contract shall have been released or terminated.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to create a contract for each administrative position.  The Board may issue temporary and nonrenewable contracts in accordance with law.

The first three consecutive years of a contract issued to a newly employed administrator will be considered a probationary period.  The probationary period may be extended for an additional year upon the consent of the administrator.  In the event of termination of a probationary or nonprobationary contract, the Board will afford the administrator appropriate due process, as required by law.  The Board reserves the right to dismiss an administrator during the contract term for just cause in accordance with law.  The administrator and Board may mutually agree to terminate the administrator’s contract. 

A contract shall not be tendered to a continuing administrator prior to March 15th.  The administrator shall sign and return the contract to the Board by the date specified by the Board, which shall be at least twenty-one days after it is tendered.

The contract shall be signed by the President of the Board and by the administrator and shall be filed with the Board Secretary before the administrator enters upon performance of the contract.

Administrators who wish to resign, be released from a contract, or retire, must comply with applicable law and Board policies and regulations.

Contracts With Licensed Employees Other Than Administrators:

Contracts with licensed employees in the District, other than with administrators or with temporary employees, shall be in writing and shall state the number of contract days, the compensation to be paid, and such other matters mutually agreed upon.  A contract, with a licensed employee, is invalid if the employee is under a contract with another board of directors during the same time period until a release is obtained, unless pursuant to a sharing arrangement.  Contracts entered into with licensed employees, other than an administrator, will continue from year to year except as modified or terminated as provided by law.  The Board may issue temporary and nonrenewable contracts in accordance with law.

A contract shall not be tendered to a continuing licensed employee prior to March 15th.  The licensed employee shall sign and return the contract to the Board by the date specified by the Board, which shall be at least twenty-one days after it is tendered.

The contract shall be signed by the President of the Board when tendered, and after it is signed by the licensed employee, the contract shall be filed with the Board Secretary before the employee enters into performance under the contract.

Contracts With Classified Employees:

Contracts with classified employees shall be in writing and shall state the term of employment, the compensation to be paid, and such other matters as may be agreed upon.  The contract shall provide that the employment of the employee may be immediately terminated for cause and may also be terminated upon fourteen (14) calendar days’ notice for any reason.  Classified employees are considered "at will" employees, are not on continuing contracts, and are not automatically re-employed.  The Superintendent has the authority to hire classified employees, other than supervisors, without advance Board approval.  The Superintendent also has authority to discipline and discharge classified employees without advance Board approval, subject to the right of the employee to appeal such decision to the Board under the complaint procedure.

Contracts for Coaches or Extracurricular Activity Sponsors:  All coaching and extracurricular sponsor contracts shall be in writing and include the annual compensation to be paid, length of service and other matters mutually agreed upon.  The contracts shall be for the length of time as indicated in the regularly scheduled season for the assigned sport or activity, along with any other days/times as may be assigned for post-season tournaments or other related duties for that sport or activity.  The contract shall not exceed a single school year.  The contract shall provide that the employment of the employee may be immediately terminated for cause and may also be terminated upon fourteen (14) calendar days’ notice for any reason.  Coaches and extracurricular sponsors are considered “at will” employees, are not on continuing contracts, and are not automatically re-employed.

Contracts for coaching or sponsoring extracurricular activities shall be issued separately from teaching contracts. A resignation or termination from a coaching or sponsor contract shall not affect the teaching contract. However, a resignation or termination from a teaching contract shall automatically be a resignation or termination from all coaching and/or sponsor contracts held by the employee.