201.8 - School Board Vacancies

A vacancy occurs as provided by law which includes but is not limited to when a board member dies, resigns/leaves office, or fails to reside in the school district or director district.

If a vacancy occurs prior to the expiration of a term of office, the vacancy will be filled by board appointment within 30 days of the vacancy. The board will publish notice stating their intention to fill the vacancy by appointment, but the electors of the school district have the right to file a petition within 14 days of the publication of notice requiring the vacancy be filled by special election.

A person appointed to fill a vacancy will hold office until a successor is elected and qualified at the next regular school board election unless there is an intervening special election for the school district; in which event a successor will be elected at the intervening special election.

If the board is unable to fill a vacancy by appointment within 30 days after the vacancy occurs or if a valid petition is submitted, the board secretary will 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 will serve the remaining portion of the unexpired term.


Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 10/11; 4/13; 8/14; 10/19; 10/22
Revised: 11/08; 9/16
Related Policy: 201.4; 201.6-7
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 69; 277.29; 279
IASB Reference: 202.4