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.

The Board believes an individual considering a position on the school board must believe that 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 of a situation and make a decision. 

Citizens wanting to run for a position on the board must be a citizen of the school district, an eligible elector of the district and free from a financial conflict of interest with the position.

Approved:    July 2007
Reviewed:    January 2022

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 shall be taken by each new board member elected at the 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 shall take the oath of office within ten days of the appointment or election.

Board members elected to offices of the Board shall 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 shall be 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 shall be administered by another board member.

"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) the Webster City Community School District as now and hereafter required by law?

Approved:    July 2007
Reviewed:   January 2022
Revised:      December 2008

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 the next scheduled school election.  A board member elected to fill a vacancy will serve out the unexpired term. Eligible board members are encouraged to consider running for more than one term.

Approved:    July 2007
Reviewed:    January 2022
Revised:        January 2022

A vacancy occurs when a board member 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 shall be filled by board appointment within 30 days of the vacancy. The newly-appointed board member shall hold the position until the next scheduled school election.  

If the Board is unable to fill a vacancy by appointment within 30 days after the vacancy occurs, the Board Secretary shall 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 shall serve the remaining portion of the unexpired term.

Approved:    July 2007
Reviewed:    January 2022

The Board operates as a corporate body and may make decisions regarding the education program, operations, and actions affecting the District. 

Individual board members exercise their authority as a board member when they vote to take action at a board meeting. However, individual board members have no authority to make decisions or take action to effect management of the District. Without the consent of the entire Board, an individual board member has no authority to act on behalf of the District or the Board.

Board members shall not be held personally liable for action taken in the performance of their duties and responsibilities vested in them by Iowa law and the members of the school district community. Board members shall act in good faith in carrying out their duties. 

The District shall defend, save harmless, and indemnify board members against tort claims or demands arising within the scope of their official duties, unless the act constitutes a willful or wanton act or omission. However, the District shall not save harmless or indemnify board members for punitive damages.

Approved:    July 2007
Reviewed:    January 2022
Revised:        January 2022