In this series of the board policy manual, the board defines its role in the governance of the school district and how it will carry out that role in the school district community and in the school district.

The ultimate goal of the board is to achieve the educational philosophy of the school district.  As school officials elected by the members of the school district community, the board shall strive to represent the needs and wishes of the members of the school district community in its deliberations and actions.

While the board shall be aware of the desires of the school district community, the needs of the students in the Ruthven-Ayrshire Community School District shall be considered above others.  The board strives to meet the needs of the students through evaluation of the financial and educational benefits of the various alternatives available to the board and the school district.

Approved:                  
Reviewed:  01-10-94, 11-11-96, 11-09-98, 11-12-01, 11-05-04, 10-01-07, 11-14-11, 12-12-11, 12-11-14, 11-08-21
Revised:  07-02-92, 01-12-09

The Ruthven-Ayrshire Community School District board is authorized by and derives its organization from Iowa Law.  The board will consist of 7 (seven) board members.  Board members are elected at large.

The board is organized for the purpose of setting policy and providing general direction for the school district.  The board will hold its organizational meeting in each odd-numbered year at the first regular meeting following the canvass of votes.  The retiring board will transfer materials, including the board policy manual, and responsibility to the new board.

The organizational meeting allows the outgoing board to approve minutes of its previous meetings, complete unfinished business, and review the school election results.  The retiring board will adjourn and the new board will then begin.  The board secretary will administer the oath of office to the newly-elected board members.  The board secretary will preside while the new board elects the president and vice-president of the new board.

Approved:                    
Reviewed: 11-9-98, 11-12-01, 11-08-04, 12-10-07, 12-12-11, 12-11-14
Revised:  2-12-08, 01-12-09, 11-08-21

The board of   the Ruthven-Ayrshire Community School District, acting on behalf of the school district, shall have jurisdiction over school matters in the territory of the school district.

The board is empowered to make policy for its own governance, for employees, for students, and for the school district facilities.  The board is also empowered to enforce its policies.  The board may, through its quasi-judicial power, conduct hearings and rule on issues and disputes confronting the school district. 

The board has these powers and all other powers expressly granted to it in federal and state law as well as the powers that can be reasonably implied from the express powers.

Because all powers of the board derived from the state statutes are granted in terms of action as a group, individual board members exercise authority over school district affairs only as they vote to take action at a legal meeting of the board.  In other instances, an individual board member, including the president, will have power only when the board, by vote, has delegated authority.  The board will make its members, the school district staff, and the public aware that only the board acting as a whole has authority to take official action.  Therefore, the board may transact business only with a quorum present during a regular or special meeting.

Pursuant to law, any board member shall not seek individually to influence the official functions of the school district.  The board and its members will deal with administrative services through the superintendent and will not give orders to any subordinates of the superintendent either publicly or privately but may make suggestions and recommendations.

Approved:  07-01-92             
Reviewed:  01-10-94, 11-11-96, 11-9-98, 11-12-01, 11-08-04, 12-10-07, 12-16-10, 12-12-11, 12-11-14
Revised: 11-08-21                 

The board 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.

As a representative of the citizens of the school district community, the board is responsible for legislating policy for the school district.  As a policy making body, the board has jurisdiction to enact policy with the force and effect of law for the management and operation of the school district.

It is the responsibility of the board, under the board’s executive duty, to select its chief executive officer, the superintendent, to operate the school district on the board’s behalf.  The board delegates to the superintendent its authority to carry out board policy, to formulate and carry out rules and regulations, and to handle the administrative details in a manner which supports and is consistent with board policy.

The board has a responsibility to review the education program’s performance under its evaluative duty.  The board reviews the education program and ancillary services.  The review includes a careful study and examination of the facts, conditions, and circumstances surrounding the amount of funds received or expended and the education program’s ability to achieve the board’s educational philosophy and goals for the school district. 

Approved: 07-01-92              
Revised:  01-10-94, 11-11-96, 11-09-98, 11-12-01, 11-08-04, 12-10-07, 12-16-10, 12-12-11, 12-11-14
Revised:11-08-21

BOARD MEMBER SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT

The board sees the value in promoting the excellent work and accomplishments of the district’s students and staff. Social media is one of many effective communication tools that the district may utilize. Board members have been publicly elected to govern the district and accept a fiduciary responsibility. That responsibility means board members agree to always act in the best interests of the district. For this reason, the board shall expect that individual communications and social media posts made by board members will reflect the values and decorum expected of elected officials in the school community.

All board members enjoy rights to freedom of speech under both the U.S. and Iowa Constitutions.  As such, the district will not limit protected speech of any board members. Certain categories of speech are not protected and may be subject to regulation.  Additionally, board members should be aware that protected speech can still subject individuals to legal liability.  Only the Board President is designated as official spokesperson authorized to speak on behalf of the board. Any postings by board members about district related matters on their individual social media accounts shall not be considered official action of the district.  Official statements of the district shall be made only on district social media accounts through the designated spokespersons of the district or the entire board speaking as a governing body.

The board as a whole and individual board members in their governance role have legal obligations to safeguard the privacy of information related to student and employee matters. Board members will refrain from posting or communicating on social media in a way that violates the district’s obligation to protect the privacy of its students and employees.

Board members are uniquely positioned in the school community to be both accessible and responsive to community concerns about the effective governance of the district.  As a result, the board will remember their obligations to safeguard student and employee privacy when responding to any social media posts or communications, even if the response is intended to correct information for the rest of the school community.  Board members will direct concerned individuals to the appropriate district staff to address their inquiry or complaint in accordance with board policy. 

Approved :  8-21-24 Reviewed:  Revised: