The school election of citizens to the Board takes place on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years. Each school election is used to elect citizens to the board to maintain a five (5) member board and to address questions that are submitted to the voters.
Citizens of the school district community seeking a seat on the Board must file their nomination papers with the Board secretary, or Board secretary's designee, consistent with the deadlines provided in Iowa law.
If a vacancy occurs on the Board, it will be filled in accordance with Iowa law.
All elections will be held as provided in Iowa law. It is the responsibility of the county commissioner of elections to conduct school elections.
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Approved: 2/13/89 |
Reviewed: 2/11/13 |
Revised: 8/13/12; 2/8/16; 1/14/19; 12/9/24 |
Serving on the board of directors is an honor and privilege. Its rewards are respect from the community, students, and employees and the satisfaction from knowing each board member contributed to the success of the children in the school district community. Only those who are willing to put forth the effort to care and to make a difference should consider running for a position on the board.
Individuals who are willing to serve on the board should believe public education is important, support the democratic process, willingly devote time and energy to board work, respect educators and have the ability to examine the facts and make a decision. The board believes an individual considering a position on the school board should possess these characteristics.
Citizens wanting to run for a position on the board must be a citizen of the United States and school district, Eighteen (18) years of age or older, an eligible elector of the district, and free from a financial conflict of interest with the position.
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NOTE: An individual must be an eligible elector in order to run for the school board. An eligible elector need not be registered to vote. An eligible elector needs only to be eligible to be registered to vote. Also, a spouse of an employee may run for the board. |
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Approved: 11/14/67 |
Reviewed: 2/11/13 |
Revised: 8/13/12; 1/14/19; 12/9/24 |
Board members are officials of the state. As a public official, each Board member must pledge to uphold the Iowa and the United States Constitution and carry out the responsibilities of the office to the best of the Board member’s ability.
Each newly-elected Board member will take the oath of office prior to any action taken as a school official. The oath of office is taken by each new Board member elected at the annual school election at or before the organizational meeting of the Board. In the event of an appointment or special election to fill a vacancy, the new Board member will take the oath of office within ten (10) days of the appointment or election.
Board members elected to offices of the Board will also take the same oath of office, but replacing the office of Board member with the title of the office to which they were elected.
The oath of office is administered by the Board secretary and does not need to be given at a Board meeting. In the event the Board secretary is absent, the oath is administered by another Board member.
The oath shall be as follows:
“Do you solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Iowa, and that you will faithfully and impartially to the best of your ability discharge the duties of the office of ____(naming the office) ______ in Spirit Lake Community School District as now and hereafter required by law?”
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Approved: 4/8/02 |
Reviewed: 1/14/19 |
Revised: 8/13/12; 2/11/13; 12/9/24 |
Board members elected for a full term at a regularly scheduled school election in November, of odd-numbered years, serve for four years. Board members appointed to fill a vacant position will serve until a successor is elected and qualified at the next regular school election, unless there is an intervening special election for the school district, in which event a successor shall be elected at the intervening special election. A board member elected to fill a vacancy will serve out the unexpired term.
Being a board member is a unique opportunity for a citizen to participate on a governing board of the school district. Eligible board members are encouraged to consider running for more than one term.
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Approved: 12/9/24 Reviewed: Revised:
If a vacancy occurs on the Board prior to the expiration of a term of office, the vacancy will be filled by board appointment within 30 days of the vacancy. The board shall publish notice stating that the board intends to fill the vacancy by appointment but the electors of the school district have the right to file a petition within 14 days of the publication of the notice requiring that the vacancy be filled by special election.
A person appointed to fill a vacancy shall hold office until a successor is elected and qualified at the next regular school election, unless there is an intervening special election for the school district, in which event a successor shall be elected at the intervening special election.
If the board is unable to fill a vacancy by appointment within 30 days after the vacancy occurs, or if a valid petition is submitted, the board secretary will call a special election to be held no sooner than 60 days and not later than 70 days after the vacancy occurred. A board member elected at the special election will serve the remaining portion of the unexpired term.
NOTE: Special elections called because the board is unable to fill a vacancy by appointment within 30 days or called because a valid petition has been submitted are to be held 60-70 days after the vacancy occurs. These special elections are different than the special school elections (commonly called public measure elections), which are held on four specific dates each year as outlined in Iowa Code. The special elections called to fill a vacancy can be held at any time of the year.
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Approved: 12/9/24 Reviewed: Revised: