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 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.

Legal Reference:

Iowa Code §§ 63; 68B; 277.4, .27; 279.7A

Approved March 26, 2018     
Reviewed May 10, 2021     
Revised May 10, 2021

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 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 of office is the following;

"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                                          Director in the Red Oak Community School District as now and hereafter required by law?"

Legal Reference:

Iowa Code §§ 277.28; 279.1, .6.

Approved March 26, 2018     
Reviewed May 10, 2021    
Revised May 10, 2021

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 scheduled 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.

Legal Reference:

Iowa Code §§ 69.12; 274.7; 279.6; 279.7

Approved:  March 26, 2018     
Reviewed: May 10, 2021      
Revised:  May 10, 2021

A vacancy occurs when a board member dies, resigns, forfeits, or otherwise leaves the office.  A vacancy also includes, but is not limited to, the following:  failure to be properly elected, failure to qualify within the time fixed by law, failure to reside in the school district or director district, a court order declaring the seat vacant, conviction of a felony, three violations of the open meetings law, or conviction of a public offense in violation of the oath of office.

If a vacancy occurs prior to the expiration of a term of office, the vacancy will be filled by board appointment within 30 days of the vacancy and consistent with the requirements of Iowa law.  The newly-appointed board member will hold the position until the next scheduled school election.  At that time the appointed board member may run for a four year term, if one is available, or run for the remainder of the unexpired term.

If the board is unable to fill a vacancy by appointment within 30 days after the vacancy occurs, 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.

Legal Reference:

Iowa Code §§ 69; 277.29; 279.

Good v. Crouch, 397 N.W.2d 757 (Iowa 1986).

Board of Directors of Grimes Independent School Dist. v. County Board of Public Instruction of Polk Co., 257 Iowa 106, 131 N.W.2d 802 (1965).

Board of Directors of Menlo Consol. School Dist. v. Blakesburg, 240 Iowa 910, 36 N.W.2d 751 (1949).

Approved March 26, 2018     
Reviewed May 10, 2021        
Revised May 10, 2021