The purpose of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), on behalf of the Des Moines Public Schools Community, is to ensure that the Des Moines Public Schools (“DMPS” or the “District”) (1) achieves appropriate results for students within the approved annual budget, and (2) avoids unacceptable actions and situations.

The Board will govern lawfully, observing the principles it has adopted, with an emphasis on (a) results for owners, (b) encouragement of diversity in viewpoints, (c) strategic leadership, (d) clear distinction of Board and Superintendent roles, (e) collective decision- making, (f) the future, and (g) governing proactively.

Accordingly:

1. The Board will cultivate a sense of group responsibility. The Board, not the staff, will be responsible for excellence in governing. The Board will be the initiator of governing policy. The Board will not use the expertise of individual members to substitute for the judgment of the Board, although the expertise of individual members may be used to enhance the understanding of the Board as a body.
2. The Board will direct, control, and inspire the District through the careful establishment of broad written policies reflecting the Board’s values and perspectives. The Board’s major focus will be on the intended long-term results, not on the administrative or programmatic means of attaining those results.
3. All policies of the Board are contained in this document, and they remain in effect unless amended or deleted by Board action.
4. The Board will orient new Board Members in the Board’s governance process and these policies.
5. The Board will allow no officer, individual, or committee of the Board to hinder or be an excuse for not fulfilling its commitments.
6. The Board will monitor its process and performance for each meeting. Self- monitoring will include comparison of Board activity and discipline to Governance Process and Board-Management Delegation policies. The Board will discuss its process and performance

On behalf of the “stakeholders” of the Des Moines Public Schools’ community, the Board of Directors will ensure appropriate organizational performance by assuming direct responsibility for the following:

1. The Board will be the link between the community and the District’s operations.
   1. Needs Assessment: The Board will assess the needs of the community as they relate to the District’s activities and scope of influence and will develop policies identifying the results the organization is to produce in addressing those needs.
   2. Advocacy: The Board will inform the community of the organization’s expected future results and its present accomplishments.
2. The Board will develop and maintain written governing policies that realistically address the broadest levels of all organizational decisions and situations:
   1. STUDENT EXPECTATIONS: Effects, benefits, and outcomes for students.
   2. MANAGEMENT LIMITATIONS: Constraints on executive authority that establish the prudence and ethics boundaries within which all executive activity and decisions must take place.
   3. GOVERNANCE PROCESS: Specification of how the Board conceives, carries out, and monitors its own task.
   4. BOARD/MANAGEMENT DELEGATION: How power is delegated and its proper use monitored: the Superintendent’s role, authority, and accountability.
3. The Board will assure successful organizational performance on Student Expectations and Management Limitations.
4. The Board will fulfill any statutory or other external mandates imposed upon it by law, rule, regulation, or contract.
   1. The following Board Governance Policies have been, in accordance with state and federal law, enacted and approved by the Board. The mandated portions of these Board Governance Policies cannot be altered without a vote of the Board. The Board has delegated responsibility for implementation and enforcement of these Board Governance Policies to the Superintendent and/or the Superintendent’s designee.
5. The Board will evaluate the Superintendent and remuneration will be decided.
6. The Board will approve an annual budget, establish the tax rate, and approve the levees.

The Board will enforce upon itself whatever discipline is needed to govern with excellence. Discipline will apply to matters such as attendance, preparation for meetings, policymaking principles, respect of roles, and ensuring the continual development of governance skills. Although the Board can change its governance process policies at any time, it will scrupulously observe those currently in place.

1. If a Board Member believes that another Board Member has violated the Board Member Code of Conduct, the concerned Board Member should discuss the alleged violation with the other Board Member in private prior to taking any other action, unless the nature of the allegation requires immediate escalation to the Board Chair.
2. If, after step one, the concerned Board Member remains unsatisfied that the alleged violation has been addressed, the concerned Board Member may submit, in writing, the allegation to the Board Chair (arbiter). If the Board Chair is involved in the allegation, the concerned Board Member may instead submit the allegation, in writing, to the Board Vice Chair or the next most senior Board Member not involved in the allegation who is then obligated to serve as arbiter instead.
3. The Board Members involved will conference to discuss the alleged violation. All parties are strongly encouraged not to allow any further escalation of these procedures and the arbiter’s duty is to work to avoid such escalation.
4. If, after the conference, the concerned Board Member remains unsatisfied that the alleged violation has been addressed, the Board Chair will place it on the agenda for the next regular meeting or call a special meeting of the Board to discuss the alleged violation. The Board Chair may call upon the District’s counsel or an external legal advisor to investigate the nature of the alleged violation.
5. If, after the special meeting of the Board to discuss the alleged violation, the Board determines that additional consideration of the alleged violation or Board action is warranted, the allegation and the investigative findings will be considered again at another meeting.
6. In order for the alleged violation to be considered for action at another meeting, one of the following three motions must be made and seconded: a motion to dismiss the allegations, a motion to admonish, or a motion to censure.
   1. In order to protect the overriding principle of freedom of speech, the Board shall not impose admonition or censure on any of its members for the exercise of their First Amendment Rights.
   2. A motion to dismiss allegations concludes any procedures before the Once a motion to dismiss allegations has passed concerning a given alleged violation, no other motions concerning that alleged violation are in order. A motion to dismiss allegations requires a majority vote to pass.
   3. An admonition is a one-time action which serves as a warning. A motion to admonish must be presented in writing and must contain the exact language of the alleged violation and the proposed admonition. A copy of the motion to admonish must be provided to the accused Board Member at least seventy- two (72) hours prior to discussion of the motion. A motion to admonish requires a majority vote to pass.
   4. A censure is an action that is permanent until lifted by the Board via a majority vote of the Board. A censure serves as a penalty imposed for wrongdoing. Censure carries no fine or suspension of the rights of the Board Member as an elected official but does immediately suspend all Board Member privileges such as, but not limited to, holding an officer role and anything else not explicitly guaranteed to Board Members by Iowa Code. A motion to censure must be presented in writing and must contain the exact language of the alleged violation and the proposed censure. A copy of the motion to censure must be provided to the accused Board Member at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to discussion of the motion. A motion to censure requires a 2/3 majority vote to pass. A motion to censure can only be lifted by a motion approved by a majority vote that occurs at least one (1) meeting after the motion to censure was passed.

The Board will prepare and follow an annual agenda plan that includes (1) a complete review of Student Expectations Policy and (2) continuous improvement in Board performance through Board education, enriched input, and deliberation. Accordingly:

1. The Board’s annual planning cycle will conclude each year on June 30, so that administrative planning and budgeting can be based on accomplishing a one-year segment of long-term Ends.
2. The Board’s planning cycle will start on July 1 with the Board’s development of its agenda for the next year.
   1. The Board and Superintendent will identify priorities for Student Expectations and other issues to be resolved in the coming year, and will identify the information gathering necessary to fulfill its role. This may include consultations with selected groups in the community, other methods of gaining community input, governance education, and other education related to Student Expectations issues, (e.g. presentations by futurists, advocacy groups, demographers, other providers, staff, etc.).
   2. The Board Chair and Vice Chair will, at the commencement of the Board’s annual planning cycle, prepare a tentative agenda plan for the following year’s meetings.
3. The Chair and Vice Chair will determine the agenda for any particular meeting, although Board Members may request or recommend any appropriate matters for Board consideration.
   1. The Board Chair and Board Vice Chair shall work with the Superintendent during an Agenda Planning Meeting to determine any items that management needs placed on the agenda. The tentative agenda does not become the final agenda until it is approved by the Board.
   2. Any Board Member may request that a subject be included on an agenda for a meeting. That request shall be forwarded in writing to the Board Chair and Superintendent no less than fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the regular board meeting. The Board Chair shall ensure that any topics the Board or individual Board Members request to be addressed shall be on the agenda unless the Board Chair declines the request—which a majority vote of the full Board can override—or the Board Chair shall specify which future agenda on which the item shall be scheduled. If the Board Chair declines a request for an item to be placed on the agenda, then the Board Chair will provide written rationale for that action.
   3. No item can be placed on the board meeting agenda less than seven (7) calendar days in advance of the board meeting unless delay in acting or discussing the added item could seriously affect the operation of the District. No item should be placed on the board meeting agenda less than seventy-two
      (72) hours in advance of the meeting unless the Board Chair determines that an urgent public necessity exists.
   4. Board Members who have questions about a particular board meeting agenda item will follow 1.7 “Directors Individual Responsibilities” Board Policy.
   5. The Superintendent shall be sure that adequate materials are provided for each board meeting agenda item and the information will be relayed to Board Members at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the meeting.
   6. The Board may, by majority vote, remove an item from the agenda if adequate materials are not provided in a timely manner.
   7. The Consent Agenda may include, but is not limited to:
      1. Contracts
      2. Personnel
      3. Payment of bills
      4. Other items agreed to by the Board
4. The Board will attend to consent agenda items (those items delegated to the Superintendent yet required by law or contract to be Board approved) as expeditiously as possible.

The Chair, serving as the chief governance officer, ensures the integrity of the Board’s process and, secondarily, represents the Board to outside parties.

Accordingly:

1. The assigned result of the Chair’s job is that the Board behaves consistently with its policies and those legitimately imposed upon it from outside the organization.
   1. Meeting discussion content will include only those issues that clearly (according to Board policy) belong to the Board to decide or to monitor.
   2. Deliberation will be fair, open, thorough, timely, orderly, and kept to the point.
2. The Chair is authorized to make decisions consistent with the Board’s Governance Process and Board-Management Delegation policies, with the exception of (a) employment/termination of the Superintendent, or (b) instances where the Board specifically delegates portions of this authority to others. The Chair is authorized to use any reasonable interpretation of these policies.
   1. The Chair is empowered to preside at board meetings with all of the commonly accepted power of that position, such as ruling and recognizing.
   2. The Chair has no authority to make decisions about policies created by the Board. The Chair has no authority to supervise or direct the Superintendent.
   3. The Chair may represent the Board to outside parties in announcing Board- stated positions and in stating decisions and interpretations within the area delegated to her or him. The Chair may delegate this authority but remains accountable for its use.
   4. The Chair may appoint Board Members to serve on Board Committees, unless specified otherwise in Board policies.

The Board commits itself and its members to ethical, professional, and lawful conduct, including proper use of authority and appropriate decorum when acting as Board Members.

Accordingly:

1. Board Members must demonstrate loyalty to the interests of the community, unconflicted by loyalties to staff, other organizations, or any personal interests as members of the District.
2. Board Members must avoid conflict of interest with respect to their fiduciary responsibility.
   1. There must be no self-dealing or any conduct of private business or personal services between any Board Member and the organization except as procedurally controlled to assure openness, competitive opportunity, and equal access to inside information. A member of the board of directors of a school corporation shall not have an interest, direct or indirect, in a contract for the purchase of goods, including materials and profits, and the performance of services for the director’s school corporation. A contract entered into in violation of this section is void. This section does not apply to contracts for the purchase of goods or services which benefit a director, or to compensation for part-time or temporary employment which benefits a director, if the benefit to the director does not exceed two thousand five hundred dollars in a fiscal year, and contracts made by a school board, upon competitive bid in writing, publicly invited and opened.
   2. When the Board is to decide upon an issue about which a member has a conflict of interest, that member shall disclose the conflict to the Board and absent herself or himself without comment from not only the vote but also from the deliberation. This conflict of interest shall be noted in the minutes and shall include deliberation and voting on employment contracts when a director’s spouse benefits from said contract.
   3. Board Members must not engage in any outside employment or activity which is in conflict with the Board Member’s official duties and responsibilities. Board Members must not use their Board positions to obtain staff employment for themselves, family members or close associates. Should a Board Member apply for staff employment, he or she must first resign from the Board. Board Members must not attempt to exercise individual authority over the organization.
   4. Defining and Identifying Potential Conflicts of Interest: The following circumstances shall be considered potential conflicts of interest warranting disclosure to the Board and/or recusal from action by the affected Board Member.
      1. A Board Member, or Board Member’s spouse, child, parent, or sibling, is a party to a contract or has a financial interest in a transaction with DMPS. Financial interest, as used in this Board Policy, means the person having a 5% interest in an entity contracting or entering into an agreement for services with the District, and/or the person receiving annual compensation equal to or exceeding $1,000 from an entity contracting with the District.
      2. A Board Member, or Board Member’s spouse, child, parent, or sibling, is a trustee, director, board member, associate, employee, consultant, or advisor of an entity engaged with DMPS in a contract or transaction for goods or services.
      3. A Board Member, or Board Member’s spouse, child, parent, or sibling, is engaged in some capacity or has a financial interest in a business or enterprise that partners with DMPS.
      4. A Board Member shall not vote to employ or appoint any person who is a parent, sibling, or child of the Board Member or the Board Member’s spouse. Furthermore, applicants to DMPS positions are restricted from using Board Members as references.
      5. A Board Member voting for or against any measure if they have received or have been promised any gift or payment of any item or value on condition of vote.
   5. Procedures for Managing Conflicts of Interest: In the event of a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest, Board Members who disclose a conflict of interest will abstain from voting and recuse themselves from all discussions on the matter. Upon abstaining, the Board Member shall state the conflict and the reason for abstaining. Furthermore, Board Members will be prohibited from influencing the matter outside of the Board’s decision-making process. All Board Members will be required to report inappropriate influence or pressure to the Board Chair as prohibited by this Board Policy.
      1. All actions, disclosures, and discussions regarding conflicts of interest will be recorded in Board Meeting minutes and posted on the DMPS website.
   6. Measures to Avoid Conflicts of Interest
      1. DMPS shall not employ Board Members for more than $2500 in annual compensation, even on a substitute or part-time basis. Board Members may volunteer in the District.
      2. Former Board Members shall not be eligible for employment or business/employment contracts with DMPS for a period of twelve (12) months after having left the Board.
      3. The Board shall not enter a contract or financial transaction where a conflict of interest, as defined by this Board Procedure, exists unless the conflict has been properly disclosed and managed. Every Board Member shall submit to the Board Chair and Superintendent an annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement identifying any relationships, positions, or circumstances in which they are involved that contributes to a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest as defined by this Board Procedure and every Board Member is required to keep the Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement current.
      4. Board Members shall not sell, lease, or provide personal property or real estate to DMPS. A Board Member may donate personal property or real estate to DMPS.
3. Board Members must not attempt to exercise individual authority over the organization.
   1. Board Members’ interaction with the Superintendent or with staff must recognize the lack of authority vested in individuals except when explicitly Board authorized.
   2. Board Members’ interaction with public, media or other entities must recognize this limitation and that Board Members are not to speak for the Superintendent, or to speak for the Board except to repeat explicitly stated Board decisions.
   3. Except for participation in Board deliberation about whether the Superintendent has achieved a reasonable interpretation of Board Policies,
   4. Board Members will not publicly express individual judgments of performance of the Superintendent or employees of DMPS.
   5. A Board Member aware of credible information that suggests that a Board policy has been violated, by either the Board or the Superintendent has an affirmative obligation to bring the concern to the Board Chair or, in the event the Board Chair is the subject of the violation, to the Vice Chair.
4. Board Member Communication with the Superintendent
   1. The Superintendent will communicate requested information to all Board Members in a reasonable time without interfering with the regular conduct of DMPS business.
   2. The Superintendent will distribute to all Board Members any information requested by a Board Member.
   3. Board Members may communicate with other individual Board Members or the Superintendent for the purposes of asking clarifying questions, providing clarifying information, or socializing under circumstances that do not conflict with or circumvent open meetings laws.
   4. Board Members who wish to share information relevant to DMPS business or issues before the Board may provide the information to the Board Chair or Superintendent for placement on the agenda or, if appropriate, distribution to all Board Members in the Superintendent’s Weekly Memo.
   5. The Superintendent will release significant information to the Board Members as promptly as possible.
5. Board Member Communication with DMPS Staff
   1. Board Members will respect the chain of command and refrain from initiating discussion of Board matters or matters on the Board Meeting agenda with any DMPS staff other than the Superintendent except as directed by the Superintendent or when the individual is designated as the contact on the meeting agenda. The only exception to this Board Procedure is spouses of Board Members.Revised September 1, 2015
   2. If Board Members are contacted by DMPS staff without the permission of the Superintendent, Board Members will follow the Board Policy, “Board Member Communication with Owners” and then notify the Superintendent of the contact.
6. Board Member Communication with Owners
   1. Board Members are encouraged to participate in community activities as liaisons between the Ownership and DMPS. When doing so, Board Members are expected to:
      1. Relay information about DMPS in a positive and truthful manner.
      2. Refer questions about specific DMPS activities/issues to the appropriate staff person or spokesperson when they do not know the answers.
   2. The Board encourages community input, but will not necessarily respond or act on the basis of anonymous calls, letters or emails unless the communication pertains to criminal, health or safety issues.
   3. A Board Member retains the right to speak to anyone as an individual, but must understand that any comment might be interpreted by the listener as being an “official” statement of the Board.
   4. In speaking as an individual, Board Members should:
      1. Clarify that they are speaking as an individual and not for the Board.
      2. Should remind media representatives of any position or action that the Board has officially taken related to the issue in question.
7. Board Member Responses to Comments or Complaints
   1. Board Members will listen and remain impartial.
   2. Board Members will ask if the commentator/complainant has followed DMPS’ procedures and/or chain of command.
   3. If the commentator/complainant does not know the procedures or chain of command, Board Members should provide the following information and advice:
      1. The commentator/complainant should first speak with the appropriate staff member. If not satisfied then;
      2. The commentator/complainant should go to the appropriate administrator in charge of the school or department where the comment/concern arose. If not satisfied, then;
      3. The commentator/complainant should contact the appropriate central office administrator. If not satisfied, then;
      4. The commentator/complainant should conference with the Superintendent (or designee).
   4. The Board Member will inform the Superintendent if an issue has advanced to or beyond step B, and will include the nature of the comment/complaint, the commentator/complainant and to whom the commentator/complainant has been referred.
   5. The Superintendent will inform the Board Member of the resolution of any referred comment/complaint.
   6. This policy shall not apply to comments/complaints alleging criminal activity or emergencies where DMPS’ students or staff members are in imminent danger.
8. Board Members must respect the confidentiality appropriate to issues of a sensitive nature.
   1. Given the legal and sensitive nature of closed meetings, Board Members understand that the law requires that all such Meetings are strictly confidential.
   2. When it is apparent to the Board that it would be in the best interest of the students, staff, community or Board to make a statement regarding anything that occurs in or results from a closed meeting, the Board Chair will compose an official public statement that meets with the approval of a majority of the Board. Any such statement will comply with limitations set by law.
   3. If individual Board Members are pressed for information regarding closed meetings, that Board Member will state clearly that they can give no information other than what is posted on the agenda. If pressed further, the Board Member will refer the inquiry to the Board Chair or Superintendent.
9. Board Members will support the legitimacy and authority of the final determination of the Board on any matter, regardless of the member’s personal position on the issue.
10. If an individual Board Member is found to be in violation of his or her responsibilities either pursuant to this Code of Conduct or Iowa law, the Board may take action which includes but is not limited to the following: scheduling a meeting with the Board Chair or Vice Chair and legal counsel to address the violations; a written letter of reprimand from the Board Chair, or in the event the Chair is in violation, from the Vice Chair; subjecting the member who is in violation to reprimand or censure at a board meeting; forwarding information regarding the member’s violation(s) to outside agencies for further investigation and action.
11. The Board may vote by a simple majority to publicly admonish a Board Member after only one undisclosed conflict of interest so long as in all other respects the Board follows the “Concerns About Board Member Performance” Board Policy (GP 1.3).
12. The Board may vote by a simple majority to publicly report the Board Member to the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.
13. The Board may vote by a simple majority, after conferring with legal counsel, to publicly report the Board Member to the Iowa Attorney General and/or local prosecutor when appropriate.

Iowa Code §§ 55; 66B.2A; 71.1; 277.27; 279.7A; 301.28 (2007).

The Board consists of four members elected by Director Districts and three members elected at-large. The individual and collective participation of its members is integral to the leadership success of the Board.

Therefore, each Board Member is expected to fulfill the following responsibilities:

1. Attendance – As contemplation, deliberation and decision-making require collaboration and participation, Board Members are expected to attend Board meetings, work sessions, and fulfill committee assignments.
2. Preparation and Participation – Board Members will prepare for Board meetings, work sessions, and committee meetings and will participate productively in discussions.
   1. The Superintendent will ensure that all necessary or requested information is supplied to the Board Members to allow for informed decisions. Agenda packets will be electronically posted and delivered no less than seven (7) calendar days in advance.
   2. Board Members will read and study the packet prior to each meeting.
   3. If Board Members wish to have additional materials or information prior to the meeting, they should direct their individual requests for additional materials or information to the Superintendent (or designee) and Board Chair as soon as possible no later than 8:00 a.m. the Monday before a Board Meeting. The Superintendent (or designee) will ensure that any such additional materials or information are provided to all Board Members.
   4. The Superintendent (or designee) will ensure that any additional materials or information is provided to all Board Members. If a Board Member has requested information or materials, and the request has been denied or delayed in such a manner that the Board Member feels that they will not be able to make an informed decision, the request for information will be placed on the regular agenda.
      1. If the Board determines that the request should be honored, the Board and the Superintendent will determine the appropriate timeline and means for presentation to the Board Members and the agenda item will be pulled from that agenda.
   5. If the Superintendent determines that a request for additional information or materials is not readily available, would interfere with DMPS operations, or cannot reasonably be prepared before the Board Meeting, the Superintendent (or designee) will notify the Member requesting the materials or information and the Board Chair that the request cannot be fulfilled and why. If requested information is not available, the Superintendent will inform the Board Member at least four (4) hours prior to the beginning of the regular Board Meeting.
   6. The Board may table an item if sufficient information is not provided in a timely manner.
3. Nothing in this Board Policy shall be construed to limit a Board Member’s ability to ask questions during the Board Meeting.
4. The Board may pull an item from the agenda if a majority of Members agree that sufficient information was not provided in a timely manner to make an informed decision on the item.
   1. The Superintendent will ensure that all necessary or requested information is supplied to the Board Members to allow for informed decisions. Agenda packets will be electronically posted and delivered no less than seven (7) calendar days in advance.
   2. Board Members will read and study the packet prior to each meeting.
   3. Board Members will direct agenda related questions to the Superintendent (or designee), according to Board Policy.
5. Board Member Performance at Meetings: All Board Members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and in accordance with their written commitment to the Board Member Code of Conduct during all meetings and public forums. Examples of behavior that will not be tolerated are rude remarks, interruptions, yelling, name calling and disrespectful verbal or body language.
   1. During Board Meetings, all members will conduct themselves according to such rules or procedures as the Board or Board Chair may adopt from time to time.
   2. If, during a meeting or public forum, any Board Member conducts themselves in a manner that is intolerable or prevents the accomplishment of goals, the Board Chair may adjourn the meeting. If a majority of the Board affirmatively votes to overturn the adjournment then the meeting must continue.
   3. Differences of opinion, if respectfully submitted, are not to be construed as unacceptable behavior but rather as alternate views on a subject and should be encouraged.
6. Members as Individuals: The Superintendent is accountable only to the Board as an organization, and not to individual Board Members. Therefore, the relationship between the Superintendent and individual members of the Board, including the Chair, is collegial, not hierarchical.
7. Volunteerism: Board Members are encouraged to be involved in District activities. Members of the Board choosing, as individuals, to volunteer in operational capacities in the District are subject to the direct supervision of the Superintendent or responsible staff person.
8. Stakeholder Input: Board Members should consider all input brought forward by and actively solicited from individuals and groups including those in Director Districts elected to when applicable, making final decisions in the best interest of the whole District placing the needs of all students at the forefront.

1. Board Members are encouraged to visit any school.
2. Individual Board Members should inform the Superintendent of any desired visit twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the visit unless the Board Member is attending a function to which the Principal has invited them. If the Superintendent determines that the desired date and time is inappropriate for any reason, the Superintendent shall work with the Board Member to identify an appropriate date and time. This Board Policy applies to individual Board Members, not Board Committees.
3. Board Members must check in at the Principal’s office following district guidelines and must have their identification badge visible.
4. All visits are to be escorted or directed by the Principal (or designee).
5. Board Members will not interrupt scheduled learning periods or interfere with the learning process.
6. Board Members will not assume a supervisory or evaluative role with staff or students.
7. Board Members will not assume a participator role with staff or students unless specifically requested by the Principal (or designee).
8. This Board Policy does not pertain to visits as a parent, as a spectator to school events or other events open to the general public.

Board committees, when used, have one essential role — to strengthen and support the work of the Board as a whole. Board committees are not to interfere with delegation from Board to the Superintendent, or from the Superintendent to other staff.

Accordingly:

1. Board committees are to help the Board do its job, not to help, advise or exercise authority over staff.
2. Board committees most commonly assist the Board by undertaking activities not delegated to the Superintendent, by preparing policy alternatives and implications for Board deliberation, or by performing specific monitoring functions. Board committees will normally not have direct involvement with current staff operations.
3. Board committees may not speak or act for the Board except when formally given such authority for specific and/or time-limited purposes. The Board will carefully state its expectations and committee authority (in the “Board Committee Structure” policy) in order not to conflict with authority delegated to the Superintendent.
4. This policy applies to any group formed by Board action, whether or not it is called a committee and regardless of whether the group includes Board Members.

A committee is a Board committee only if its existence and charge come from the Board, regardless of whether its composition includes Board Members and are those set forth in this policy. The Board committees are advisory in nature and shall not be authorized to create or change policy. Board Committees shall include both standing committees and ad hoc committees. Unless otherwise stated, an ad hoc Board Committee will cease to exist when its task is complete. Unless otherwise specified, the Superintendent, or his/her staff designee, will serve as a non-voting member of each committee. Committee meetings are posted and are subject to open meetings law.

Standing Committees:

1. Board Development Committee
   1. Purpose: Arrangement of orientation/training of new and existing Board Members in the Board’s governing process and strategic issues of the Board’s choosing.
   2. Authority: To expend resources within approved Board budget to ensure that members are provided with proper orientation and training. Management time will be determined on an as-needed basis.
   3. Board Composition: Board Chair, Vice Chair, and Superintendent
2. Audit Committee
3. Purposes: to fulfill duties as stated in the Audit Committee Charter.
4. Authority: To direct work of internal and external auditors and to use management time as needed for administrative support for all matters related to the audit functions of the DMPS Board
5. Composition: One Board Member and one alternate
6. Community Linkage Committee
   1. Purpose: Development of mechanisms and plans for linkage between the Board and the community.
   2. Authority:
   3. Board Composition: Five board members
7. Superintendent Compensation Committee
   1. Purpose: To develop recommendations for annual Superintendent compensation package for Board consideration in concurrence with the Superintendent’s review.
   2. Authority: To incur costs to include compensation surveys and for outside counsel to draft contract.
   3. Board Composition: Board Chair and three other Board Members
8. Policy Committee
   1. Purpose: Further development of governance structure, revisions dictated by State Code (if/as necessary) and draft policies for consideration by the full Board. Policy changes are presented to the Board as recommendations from and already vetted by the Policy Committee.
   2. Authority:
   3. Board Composition: Three Board Members rotated for each series reviewed
9. Des Moines Teachers Retirement System
   1. Purpose: The Board serves as trustees of the retirement system for District employees who choose to participate in the DMTRS plan as opposed to IPERS.
   2. Authority:
   3. Board Composition: One Board Member
10. Health Benefits Advisory Committee
    1. Purpose: This committee works with the DMEA, AFSCME and administration on health benefits
    2. Authority:
    3. Board Composition: One Board Member and one alternate
11. School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC)
    1. Purpose: In accordance with the Code of Iowa 280.12, a SIAC will annually review District and building level school improvement processes. Based on the committee members’ analysis of the needs assessment data, they will make recommendations to the Board about the following components: Major educational needs; Student learning goals; Long-range goals that include but are not limited to reading, mathematics, science achievement; and Harassment or bullying prevention goals, programs, training and other initiatives.
    2. Authority:
    3. Board Composition: Two Board Members
12. Youth Advisory Committee (YAC)
    1. Purpose: To assess student and district needs from a student perspective and make recommendations to the Board.
    2. Authority:
    3. Board Composition: Two Board Members
13. Naming Committee
    1. Purpose: To make a recommendation to the Board regarding requests for the naming of a building/facility or part of a building/facility.
    2. Authority: See Board Policy Series 700, Policy 740.
    3. Board Composition: Three Board Members
14. Legislative Education and Advocacy Committee
    1. Purpose: To effectively engage the larger community in the support of our district through coalition-building, communication, and advocacy for state policy that elevates student success.
    2. Authority:
    3. Board Composition: Three Board Members
       Committee chair shall be appointed by the board chair.

Revised September 1, 2015

The Board will consciously invest in its ability to govern competently and wisely. Accordingly:

1. Board skills, methods, and supports will be sufficient to assure governing with excellence.
   1. Training and retraining will be used appropriately to orient new Board Members, and to maintain and increase existing Board Member skills and knowledge.
   2. Outside monitoring assistance, including fiscal audit, will be arranged as needed so that the Board can exercise confident control over organizational performance.
   3. Engagement and outreach strategies will be used as needed to ensure the Board understands owner viewpoints and values.
   4. Costs may include but are not limited to: board training; travel/reimbursements (attendance at conferences, workshops, Board meetings, etc.); audit and other third-party monitoring of organizational performance; Board-hosted community linkage/outreach events; Board meeting and retreat costs; and Board committee functions.

The Board will establish its Governance budget for the next fiscal year within the regular yearly budget cycle.

The Superintendent shall not cause or allow any practice, activity, decision or organizational circumstance that is unlawful, imprudent, or in violation of commonly accepted business and professional ethics and practices.

With respect to interactions with students, the Superintendent shall not cause or allow conditions or procedures that are inequitable, unfair, unsafe, untimely, undignified or unnecessarily intrusive.

With respect to the treatment of parents, owners, and volunteers,, the Superintendent shall not allow conditions that are inequitable, unsafe, unfair, and undignified.

1. The Superintendent shall not fail to engage the parents and owners when major issues come forward.

With respect to the treatment of employees, the Superintendent shall not cause or allow conditions that are unsafe, unfair, inequitable, or undignified.

Accordingly, pertaining to staff, the Superintendent shall not:

1. Retaliate against an employee for reporting to management or to the Board of Directors acts or omissions by personnel, management or the Board of Directors that the employee believes, in good faith and based on credible information, constitutes a violation of state or federal law or a governing policy of the Board.
2. Prevent staff from appealing a complaint to the Board when (1) all internal complaint procedures have been exhausted and (2) the employee provides a substantive and credible allegation that Board policy has been violated. This policy does not apply to grievances as contemplated under the respective collective bargaining agreements governing the Des Moines Education Association union and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union as grievances under those contracts follow contractual provisions and state law.
3. Fail to acquaint staff with this policy, and the Superintendent’s interpretations of their protections under this policy.
4. Operate without a written personnel manual, approved by legal counsel, which clarifies personnel rules for employees, provides for effective and timely handling of complaints and grievances, and protects against wrongful conditions.

With respect to actual ongoing condition of the district’s financial resources, the Superintendent shall not cause or allow the development of fiscal jeopardy or a material deviation of actual expenditures from the Board’s Student Expectations Policy.

Accordingly, the Superintendent shall not:

1. Fail to provide quarterly summaries of the financial condition of the district.
2. Fail to settle district payroll obligations and payables in a timely manner.
3. Fail to implement prudent competitive quoting procedures for all facility improvement projects in an amount that meets or exceeds the competitive quote threshold as established by Iowa law.
4. Fail to implement prudent competitive bidding procedures for all facility improvement projects in the amount of $100,000 or more.
5. Fail to implement prudent competitive procedures, including but not limited to RFPs, for purchasing products and securing contractual and professional services.
6. Obligate the district to contracts or expenditures greater than $100,000.
7. Acquire, lease, or dispose of real property.
8. Invest funds in securities contrary to state law.
9. Allow tax payments or other governmental ordered payments or filings to be overdue or inaccurately filed.

The Superintendent shall not allow district assets to be unprotected, inadequately maintained, inadequately or inappropriately used or unnecessarily risked.

Accordingly, the Superintendent shall not:

Allow there to be inadequate insurance to protect the district’s assets, including but not limited to coverage for theft, casualty, institutional liability, board and officer liability, and employee theft and dishonesty.

1. Fail to employ risk management practices to minimize exposure of the district, its board, or staff to claims of liability.
2. Incur indebtedness (i.e. anticipatory warrants, general obligations or revenue bonds, and capital loan notes.)
3. Subject facilities and equipment to improper wear and tear or insufficient maintenance.
4. Allow any purchase where there exists a real conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest.
5. Fail to protect district-owned intellectual property, information, and files from loss or significant damage or theft.
6. Receive, process, or disburse funds under controls insufficient to meet the Board- appointed auditor’s standards (as set forth in the Management Letter and/or other correspondence) or compromise the independence of the Board’s audit.
7. Endanger the district’s public image, its credibility, or its ability to accomplish Student Expectations.
8. Receive funds or contributions from, nor enter into contracts, obligations, or associations with individuals, organizations, or entities that are not consistent with the mission and purpose of the district, the administrative policies and procedures, or hinder the district’s ability to achieve its Student Expectations.

Financial planning for any fiscal year or the remaining part of any fiscal year may not deviate materially from the Board’s Student Expectations Policy or risk financial jeopardy.

Accordingly, the Superintendent shall not present a budget that:

1. Falls below a 15% solvency ratio for the General Fund.
2. Falls below a 15% unspent spending ratio for the General Fund.
3. Creates a situation or condition described as unacceptable in the “Financial Conditions and Activities.”
4. Omits credible projections of revenues and expenses and disclosure of planning assumptions.
5. Plans the expenditure of more funds than are projected to be received in any fiscal year.

Revised December 8, 2015

In order to protect the Board from sudden loss of Superintendent services, the Superintendent shall not fail to ensure that at least one other member of the staff has appropriate certification to take over with reasonable proficiency as an interim successor.

The Superintendent will not cause or allow jeopardy the District’s fiscal integrity or public image when dealing with employment, compensation, and benefits for employees, consultants, volunteers, or contractors.

Accordingly, the Superintendent shall not:

1. Change his or her own compensation.
2. Change his or her own benefits.
3. Promise or imply anything other than “at-will” employment for all non- contractual employees.
4. Establish current compensation and benefits that deviate materially from the geographic and/or professional market value for the skills employed.
5. Pertaining to consultants and contract vendors, create obligations over a longer term than revenues can be safely projected.
6. Establish or change retirement benefits.

The Superintendent shall not cause or allow the Board to be uninformed or unsupported in its work.

Accordingly, the Superintendent shall not:

1. Fail to report in a timely manner an actual or anticipated noncompliance with any policy of the Board.
2. Neglect to submit monitoring data required by the Board (see policy on Monitoring Superintendent Performance in Board-Management Delegation) in a timely, accurate and understandable fashion, directly addressing provisions of Board policies being monitored.
3. Fail to inform the Board Chair of significant incidental information, such as anticipated adverse media coverage, threatened or pending lawsuits, or material external and internal changes. Notification of planned material internal changes is to be provided to Board Members in advance, when feasible.
4. Fail to advise the Board Chair if, in the Superintendent’s opinion, the Board is not in compliance with its own policies on Governance Process and Board- Management Delegation, particularly in the case of Board or Board Member behavior that is detrimental to the work relationship between the Board and the Superintendent. In the event that the Board Chair is the subject of the violation, the Superintendent will report it to the Vice Chair.
5. Neglect to submit objective, decision information required periodically by the Board or let the Board be unaware of relevant trends.
6. Present information that fails to differentiate among the following four types:
   1. Monitoring
   2. Discussion
   3. Decision preparation (or “action” item)
   4. Incidental/ “FYI”

   and that fails to reference the applicable state and federal law when appropriate.

7. Fail to provide support for Board, officer, or committee communications and functions.
8. When addressing Board business, fail to deal with the Board as a whole except when:
   1. Fulfilling individual requests for information as detailed by the Board’s Request for Information procedure (Board-Management Delegation Policy 3.1, Item 2A), or
   2. Responding to officers or committees duly charged by the Board.
9. Fail to supply for the Board’s consent agenda, along with applicable monitoring information, all decisions delegated to the Superintendent yet required by law, regulation, or contract to be Board approved.

The Board’s official connection to the operational organization, its achievements, and conduct will be through the Superintendent.

Only officially passed motions of the Board are binding on the Superintendent. Accordingly:

1. Decisions or instructions of individual Board Members, officers, or committees are not binding on the Superintendent except in rare instances in which Board has specifically delegated this authority.
2. If Board Members or committees request information or assistance without Board authorization, the Superintendent may refuse such requests that require, in his/her opinion, an inappropriate amount of staff time or funds or are disruptive.
   1. All requests that will take longer than 15 minutes should be sent into the Board Chair and Superintendent detailing what information is requested, why the information is being requested, and when the information is wanted. The request will then be sent to the entire Board.
      1. If it is determined that the majority of the Board would like the information requested in order to help them fulfill their Board duties, the Superintendent will assign the appropriate staff member to fill the request. The information will be sent to the entire Board.
      2. If the majority of the Board does not agree to the request, then the request should be revised or dropped.
   2. Requests for information regarding an agenda item for the upcoming Board meeting must be in by noon on Monday before the Tuesday Board meeting. If the information cannot be gathered before the Tuesday Board meeting, it will be sent out to the entire board before the next meeting.

The Board will instruct the Superintendent through written policies that prescribe the organizational Student Expectations to be achieved and describe organizational situations and actions to be avoided, allowing the Superintendent to use any reasonable interpretation of these policies.

Accordingly:

1. 1. The Board will develop and maintain the Student Expectations Policy. All issues that are not Student Expectations issues are Means issues.
   2. The Board will develop and maintain Management Limitations policies that limit the latitude the Superintendent may exercise in choosing the organizational means.
   3. As long as the Superintendent uses any reasonable interpretation of the Board’s Student Expectations and Management Limitations policies, the Superintendent is authorized to establish administrative policies and procedures, make all decisions, take all actions, establish all practices, and pursue all activities. Such decisions of the Superintendent shall have full force and authority as if decided by the Board.
   4. The Board may change its Student Expectations and Management Limitations policies, thereby shifting the boundary between Board and Superintendent domains. By doing so, the Board changes the latitude of choice given to the Superintendent. However, as long as any particular delegation is in place, the Board will respect and support the Superintendent’s choices that are compliant with a reasonable interpretation of those policies.

The Superintendent is the only staff person accountable to the Board of Directors for operational achievement and conduct.

Accordingly:

1. 1. 1. Neither the Board nor any individual Board Member will give instructions to persons who report directly or indirectly to the Superintendent.
      2. The Board will not evaluate, either formally or informally, any staff other than the Superintendent.
         1. When a Board Member becomes concerned about the performance of DMPS employees other than the Superintendent, they should bring their concerns directly to the Superintendent and inform the Board Chair.
         2. Board Members must remain cognizant that DMPS personnel are the responsibility of the Superintendent, not the Board.
         3. The Superintendent is obligated to listen to such concerns, review the matter, and resolve the matter as appropriate.
         4. When a Board Member has concerns about the performance of DMPS employees which relate to employee, student, Board or community safety, the Board Member will notify the Superintendent and, when appropriate, the Des Moines Police Department.
      3. The Board may only approve or reject candidates brought forth by the Superintendent. The Board, individually or collectively, shall not engage in lobbying for specific hiring decisions.
      4. Board Members may not advise the Superintendent on specific hiring decisions unless such input is sought. Board Members shall refer potential candidates to the DMPS website or Human Resources Department.
      5. Board Members shall refrain from writing letters of recommendation for or lobbying for any person seeking employment with DMPS.
      6. Board Members shall abstain from any votes on personnel issues where a conflict of interest is clear as defined in Board Policy, Board Procedure, and/or Iowa Code.
      7. The Board will systematically and rigorously monitor Superintendent job performance to determine the extent to which Student Expectations are being achieved and whether operational activities fall within boundaries established in Management Limitations policies. The Board will view Superintendent performance as identical to organizational performance.
         1. Monitoring is simply to determine the degree to which Board policies are being met. Information that does not address policy compliance will not be considered in the evaluation of Superintendent performance.
         2. The Board will acquire monitoring data by one or more of three methods:
            1. By internal report, in which the Superintendent discloses, in writing, policy interpretations and compliance information to the Board.
            2. By external report, in which an external, disinterested third party selected by the Board assesses compliance with Board policies.
            3. By direct Board inspection, in which a designated member or members of the Board assess compliance with the appropriate policy criteria.
         3. In every case, the Board will judge whether (a) the Superintendent’s interpretation is reasonable and (b) whether data demonstrate accomplishment of or compliance with the Superintendent’s interpretation.
         4. In every case, the standard for compliance shall be any reasonable Superintendent interpretation of the Board policy being monitored. The Board is the final judge of reasonableness, and will always judge with a “reasonable person” test (what a reasonably prudent person would do in that context). Interpretations favored by individual Board Members or by the Board as a whole shall not constitute a “reasonable person” test.
         5. All policies instructing the Superintendent will be monitored at a frequency and by any of the three above methods chosen by the Board. The Board may monitor any policy at any time by any of the three methods designated in item B, but will ordinarily depend on the Board Report Schedule.
         6. If, at any time, a Board Member becomes concerned that the Superintendent may have (1) breached any term of the Superintendent’s contract, (2) violated a state or federal statute, or (3) violated DMPS Policy, the following process will be used:
            1. The concerned Board Member will bring their concerns to the Board Chair who will assist in resolving the issue(s).
            2. If the concerned Board Member does not feel that the resolution is satisfactory the Board Member may request, through the Board Chair, that an item be placed on the next regular meeting agenda. The matter may be handled as a closed meeting item if a Closed Session is requested by the Superintendent. The concerned Board Member must inform the Board Chair in writing of the specific nature of any concern(s) that prompted the request.
            3. In addition the Board Chair may, of their own accord, place an item on a regularly scheduled meeting agenda item to discuss concerns about the professional performance of the Superintendent.
         7. In the event that a closed meeting is requested and called, the Board must listen to the concern(s) and make a determination if the issue raised is truly cause for concern.
         8. If the majority of the Board determines that there is a violation or breach of one of the items listed, the following process will be followed:
            1. The exact nature of the concern or deficiency will be documented and discussed with the Superintendent.
            2. A plan for remediation or disciplinary action may be adopted, to include action(s) to be taken and timelines.
            3. The Board Chair shall monitor any performance remediation plan for compliance and the results will be made part of the Superintendent’s annual performance evaluation.
            4. It shall be the responsibility of the Board Chair to ensure that all documentation relating to performance deficiencies shall be appropriately placed in the Superintendent’s personnel file.

2017

July 12

• General Executive Constraint 2.0
• Emergency Superintendent Succession 2.7
• Compensation & Benefits 2.8
• Board Awareness & Support 2.9
• HBAC Annual Report

August 2

• Asset Protection 2.5
• Financial & Economic Literacy 4.1.1C
• Fine & Performing Art 4.1.1D
• Work Session

August 16

• Treatment of Students 2.1
• Financial C & A (4th Qtr.) 2.4
• Self-Directed & Autonomous 4.1.2
• World Awareness 4.1.3

September 6

• Approve Superintendent Evaluation Form
• Quarterly Board Self- Evaluation 1.1.6
• Literacy 4.1.1A
• Math 4.1.1B
• Males of Color (Part 1)
• Work Session

September 20

• Organizational Meeting (Elect Chair & Vice Chair)
• Financial Planning/Budgeting 2.6

October 4

• Treatment of Parents/Owners/Volunteers 2.2
• Treatment of Employees 2.3
• Technological & Information Literacy 4.1.1E
• Science 4.1.1F
• Work Session (Budget)

October 18

• Elementary Reading (Part 1)
• Work Session (Budget)

November 1

• Algebra (Part 1)
• Board Budget Parameters
• Work Session (Budget)

November 15

• Financial C & A (1st Qtr.) 2.4
• External Audit Report
• Finalize Board Budget Parameters
• Superintendent mid-year goal report

December 13

• Annual Board Self-Evaluation 1.1.6
• Work Session

2018

January 10

• Work Session

January 24

• Work Session

February 7

• Superintendent Evaluation 1.2.5
• Work Session

February 21

• Financial C & A (2nd Qtr.) 2.4
• Elementary Reading (Part 2)

March 7

• Quarterly Board Self- Evaluation 1.1.6
• Algebra (Part 2)
• Work Session

April 4

• Budget Approval
• Preschool (Part 1)
• Work Session

April 18

• Work Session

May 2

• Work Session

May 16

• Financial C & A (3rd Qtr.) 2.4
• Males of Color (Part 2)

June 6

• Quarterly Board Self- Evaluation 1.1.6
• Work Session

June 20

• State Assessments 4.1.1
• Algebra (Part 3)
• Elementary Reading (Part 3)
• Preschool (Part 2)

Blue agenda items in italics include a presentation.

Revised August 9, 2016

Mission Statement

The Des Moines Public Schools Exist So That Graduates Possess the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities to Be Successful at the Next Stage of Their Lives.

Student Expectations

1. Students demonstrate proficiency and understanding of a rigorous core curriculum:
   1. They demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
   2. They demonstrate proficiency in mathematics, including algebra and geometry.
   3. They demonstrate financial and economic literacy.
   4. They demonstrate an understanding of the value of fine and performing arts in society.
   5. They demonstrate proficiency in technological and information literacy.
   6. They demonstrate proficiency in science, including life, earth, and physical science.
2. Students possess the knowledge and skills to be self-directed and autonomous:
   1. They demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills.
   2. They exercise sound reasoning in making complex choices.
   3. They exhibit creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial thinking.
   4. They understand the attributes of physical and mental well-being.
3. Students have world awareness:
   1. They learn from and work with individuals representing diverse cultures and religions in a spirit of mutual respect in school, work, and community.
   2. They understand the rights and obligations of citizenship at local, state, national, and global levels.
   3. They are actively engaged in community life.
   4. They will be exposed to languages and cultures of the world.

Approved July 9, 2013

The following Belief Statement encompasses the focus of the Board’s work on behalf of the education of students in Des Moines Public Schools. This statement relates to the District’s Student Expectations Policy.

1. We believe in every child and, no matter their circumstance, will support them in achieving at their highest level.
   • DMPS will work to ensure our students are career and post-secondary education ready.
2. We believe all students will have the best staff working to provide and support their education.
   • DMPS will be a best place to work, committed to recruiting, developing, retaining, and recognizing high-quality staff in a climate and culture where people are able to do their best work.
3. We believe in the full engagement of our parents and community in the support of our students’ education.
   • DMPS will commit to the support, training, and tools needed to maximize engagement opportunities with our parents and the entire community.
4. We believe, as a community, in providing the resources necessary to offer PK-12 education of the highest quality.
   • DMPS will work, proactively and creatively, with the community to assure the proper investment in our commitment to our children.
5. We believe first-rate facilities are essential to quality education.
   • DMPS is committed to facilities, as centers of our community and neighborhoods, which offer safe, healthy, well-run, and creative learning environments.
6. We believe in a school district that operates with transparency, accountability, and efficiency at every level.
   • DMPS is committed to operating in an atmosphere of full-disclosure to ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency.

DES MOINES PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ OPERATING AGREEMENT

Purpose of Agreement
The Board of Directors is the policy-making body for Des Moines Public Schools.
To effectively meet the District’s challenges, the School Board and Superintendent must function together as a leadership team. To ensure unity among team members, effective group agreements must be in place.

Therefore, as a member of the Des Moines Public Schools Board of Directors, I agree to:

1. Have respect for differing opinions and commit to support decisions voted on by the Board.
2. Promote the positive work within DMPS while seeking out opportunities to maximize engagement with the community.
3. Work openly and honestly with each other.
4. Respect the Superintendent’s responsibility is managing the District, and the Board’s responsibility is setting and monitoring policy.
5. Be prepared to productively participate in all Board meetings, work sessions, and in assigned committees.
6. Operate with a focus on the future, on results, and continuous improvement with our work guided by a clear set of goals and expectations.
7. Review annually board protocols and operating procedures and participate in Board self-monitoring.