303 Administrator Qualifications, Recruitment, Appointment

The board will employ building principals and other administrators, in addition to the superintendent, to assist in the daily operations of the school district.

The board will consider applicants who meet or exceed the standards set by the Iowa Department of Education and the qualifications established in the job description for the position.  In employing an administrator, the board will consider the qualifications, credentials and records of the applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.  In keeping with the law, however, the board will consider the veteran status of the applicants.  The board will look closely at the training, experience, skill and demonstrated competence of qualified applicants in making its final decision.

In choosing an administrator, the board will also consider the school district's educational philosophy, financial condition, organizational structure, education programs, and other factors deemed relevant by the board.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the board for filling an administrative position, based on the requirements stated in this policy.  The board will act only on the superintendent's recommendation.

The board may contract for assistance in the search for administrators.

 

Date Board Approved: 12/19/2011

Date Board Updated/Reviewed: 2/14/2022

 

 

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code §§ 279.8, .21 (2013).

                                    281 I.A.C. 12.4.

                                    1980 Op. Att'y Gen. 367.

 

 

 

                                    

303.1 Administrator Evaluation

The superintendent or designee will conduct an ongoing process of evaluating the administrators on their skills, abilities, and competence.  At a minimum, the superintendent or designee will formally evaluate the administrators annually.  The goal of the formal evaluation process is to ensure that the educational program for the students is carried out, ensure student learning goals of the school district are met, promote growth in effective administrative leadership for the school district, clarify the administrator's role as defined by the board and the superintendent, ascertain areas in need of improvement, clarify the immediate priorities of the responsibilities listed in the job description, and develop a working relationship between the superintendent and the administrator.

The formal evaluation will also include an opportunity for the administrator and the superintendent, or designee, to discuss the written criteria, the past year's performance and the future areas of growth.  The evaluation is completed by the superintendent or designee, signed by the administrator and filed in the administrator's personnel file.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, or designee, to conduct a formal evaluation of the probationary administrators and non-probationary administrators prior to May 15.

This policy supports and does not preclude the ongoing informal evaluation of the administrator's skills, abilities and competence.

 

Date Board Approved: 10/24/2017

Date Board Updated/Reviewed: 2/14/2022

 

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code §§ 279.8, .21-.23A (2013). 281 I.A.C. 12.3(3); ch 83.

303.2 Administrator Contract and Contract Nonrenewal

 

The length of the contract for employment between an administrator and the board will be determined by the board and stated in the contract. The contract will also state the terms of the employment.

The first three consecutive years of a contract issued to a newly employed administrator will be considered a probationary period. The probationary period may be extended for an additional year upon the consent of the administrator. In the event of termination of a probationary or non-probationary contract, the board will afford the administrator appropriate due process, as required by law. The administrator and board may mutually agree to terminate the administrator's contract.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to create a contract for each administrative position. The board may issue temporary and nonrenewable contracts in accordance with law.

Administrators who wish to resign, to be released from a contract, or to retire, must comply with applicable law and board policies.

 

Date Board Approved: 10/24/2017

Date Board Updated/Reviewed: 2/14/2022

 

Legal Reference:          Martin v. Waterloo Community School District, 518 N.W. 2d 381 (Iowa 1994).

          Cook v Plainfield Community School District, 301 N.W. 2d 771 (Iowa App. 1980).

          Board of Education of Fort Madison Community School District v Youel, 282 N.W. 2d 677 (Iowa 1979).

          Briggs v Board of Education of Hinton Community School District, 282 N.W. 2d 740 (Iowa 1979).

          Iowa Code § 279. 281 I.A.C. 12.4.

303.3 Administrator Salary and Other Compensation

The board has complete discretion to set the salary of the administrators.  It is the responsibility of the board to set the salary and benefits of the administrators at a level that will include consideration of, but not be limited to, the economic condition of the school district and the training, experience, skill, and demonstrated competence of the administrators. 

In addition to the salary and benefits agreed upon, the administrator's actual and necessary expenses will be paid by the school district when the administrator is performing work-related duties.  The board will approve the payment of other benefits or compensation over and above the administrator's contract.  Approval of other benefits or items of an administrator's compensation will be included in the records of the board in accordance with board policy.

 

Date Board Approved: 10/24/2017

Date Board Updated/Reviewed: 2/14/2022

 

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code § 279.21 (2013). 1984 Op. Att'y Gen. 47.