Dr. Jorgensen's Highland Highlights - September
August 14, 2019
Highland Highlights
The Election of Public School Board members has seen drastic changes in the last three years due to new legislation. A bill signed into law by Governor Terry Branstad on May 11, 2017, switched school board elections to November of odd-numbered years starting in 2019. This changed two aspects of school board elections. First of all, it changed terms from being three year terms to four year terms since elections only occur in odd years. It also combined school board elections with city elections, reducing the overall cost to both entities.
The 2017 Code allowed the first day to file nominations papers with the Board Secretary not more than 64 days before the election. The 2019 Code states that the first day to file nomination papers with the Board secretary cannot be more than 71 days before the election, 2019 date of August 26th.
The last day to file nomination papers in 2017 was not less than 40 days before the election, which was in August. The current code is 42 days before the election with a 2019 date of September 19th. Election day was the Second Tuesday in September in 2017, while in 2019 and beyond it will be the First Tuesday after Monday in November of odd-numbered years, November 5 in 2019.
The Iowa Association of School Boards has determined Six Standards for Board Members. They include:
1. Visionary Team: Operate as a visionary governance team in partnership with the Superintendent
2. Student Learning: Provide effective leadership for quality instruction and high, equitable student learning
3. District Culture: Foster a culture that enables excellence and innovation
4. Policy and Legal: Lead through sound policy, ensuring transparent, ethical, legal operations
5. Fiscal Responsibility: Sustain and enhance district resources through planning and fiduciary-oversight.
6. Advocacy: Advocate for public education the needs of Iowa Students
I was always fortunate to have had the ability to work with great school boards over the years. I have heard horror stories from other school districts where school board members have tried to operate outside of those standards. Just remember that the only individual the school board evaluates and hires is the Superintendent. They do not have the discretion or ability to hire or fire any other position. They can only approve or not approve the recommendation of the Superintendent for all other personnel contracts.
A board member needs to be impartial in any and all possible student and staff discipline items. They are treated the same as a juror in a criminal trial. They cannot lead an investigation or participate in a hearing where they have been prejudiced with prior information received. I remember one such situation I had with a Board President who had received a phone call from a teacher prior to an expulsion hearing. This teacher shared many things with this board member about why they felt the student needed to be expelled. When the Board President shared this conversation with me, I would not allow the Board President to be a part of the hearing. The action of the teacher contacting this board member and sharing their concern actually backfired as this disqualified the board member.
I think this is the one fact that most people have difficulties in understanding about board roles and responsibilities. They will call a board member and ask them to take action against a staff member or student. A board member should always refer a complaint or concern to the Superintendent and should not be involved in any kind of investigation or information sharing regarding a potential discipline issue of a student or a staff member. If they do and it is found out, that hearing/ruling will immediately be overturned in a court of law, much as jury tampering would be in the legal courts.
It is important that patrons understand the role of a board member and the necessary steps they must go through in handling a complaint. It is always best to go through the chain of command and the proper procedures and steps in handling these situations.
