The Diagonal Board of Directors is authorized to govern the school district which it oversees. The board is entrusted with public funds and is responsible for overseeing the improvement of student outcomes, including student academic achievement and skill proficiency. As the governing board of the school district, the board has three duties to perform: legislative duty, executive duty and evaluative duty.
The annual school election takes place on the second Tuesday in September of each odd-numbered year. Each school election is used to elect at least one citizen to the board to maintain a 5-member board and to address other questions that must be 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 the board secretary's designee, between seventy-one (71) and forty-seven (47) days before the school election unless otherwise directed.
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.
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.
Materials and services produced by students at the expense of the school district are the property of the school district. Materials and services produced by students at the student's expense, except for incidental expense to the school district, are the property of the student.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to determine incidental expense.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8.
Cross Reference: 408.2 Licensed Employee Publication or Creation of Materials
Approved 9-20-04 Reviewed 11-19-07 4-17-19 Revised
Generally, the school district will not purchase items on behalf of employees. The school district may in unusual and unique circumstances do so. It is within the discretion of the board to determine when unique and unusual circumstances exist.
No purchase is made unless the employee has paid the school district prior to the order being placed and the employee has agreed to be responsible for any taxes or other expenses due.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8.
Cross Reference: 703 Budget
The board authorizes the issuance payment of claims against the school district for goods and services. The board will allow the payment after the goods and services have been received and accepted in compliance with board policy and the claims audited by the board.
The payroll period for the school district is monthly. Employees are paid on the 20 day of each month. If this day is a holiday, recess, or weekend, the payroll is paid on the last working day prior to the holiday, recess or weekend.
It is the responsibility of the board secretary to issue payroll to employees in compliance with this policy.
To the extent it conflicts with this policy, all employees under contract shall be paid in accordance with the provision of their signed contract.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 20.9; 91A.2(4), .3.
Each month the schedule of bills allowed by the board is published in a newspaper designated as a newspaper for official publication. Annually, the total salaries paid to employees regularly employed by the school district will also be published in a newspaper designated as a newspaper for official publication.
It is the responsibility of the board secretary to publish these reports in a timely manner.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 279.35, .36.
Cross Reference: 206.3 Secretary [or Secretary-Treasurer]
The board will maintain a comprehensive insurance program to provide adequate coverage against major types of risk, loss, or damage, as well as legal liability. The board will purchase insurance at replacement values, when possible, after reviewing the costs and availability of such insurance. The comprehensive insurance program is reviewed once every three years. Insurance will only be purchased through legally licensed Iowa insurance agents.
The school district will operate a school lunch and breakfast program in each attendance center. The school food program services will include hot lunches through participation in the National School Lunch Program and supplementary foods for students during the school day. Students may bring their lunches from home and purchase milk or juice and other incidental items.
