Board FAQs

  • When can someone speak at a board meeting?

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    An open forum time when individuals may speak to the Board is conducted at the beginning of each regular meeting. An individual must state his or her name and address for the public record and will have a limited time to speak. Iowa Open Meetings Law does not permit the board to take action on public comments on items not posted on the agenda. For more information, please see Board Policy 211.
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  • Where can I see the minutes of the board meetings?

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    Official minutes of the school board meetings must be approved by the Board before they are made available to the public. Minutes of a meeting are generally approved at the next board meeting and then posted on Simbli.
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  • What is closed session?

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    Regular and special board meetings are, by Iowa law, open to the public. There may be a portion of a meeting or all of a meeting that is operated as a legally closed session and not open to the public. Examples of items that may be dealt with during a closed session include student discipline, personnel issues, union negotiations, and administrative evaluations. For more information, please see Iowa Code Chapter 21.
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  • How does an item get added to the agenda?

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    For an item to be considered for the agenda, individuals must submit items in writing to the Superintendent’s Office by noon on the Wednesday before the regular meeting. The request does not guarantee the item will be placed on the agenda. For more information, please see Board Policy 210.10.
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  • Are meetings livestreamed?

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    Due to COVID-19, board meetings are currently livestreamed on the WDMCS YouTube channel. If the entire meeting is virtual, then a Zoom webinar link is posted on the WDMCS website.
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  • What rights do I have to access information about the school district?

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    Board Policy 901.02 addresses access to public information. Individuals may request copies of public records by telephone or in writing, including electronically. Individuals wanting copies may be assessed a fee for the time required for personnel to compile requested information as well as for copies of the documents. 

    Pursuant to Iowa law, the Board has determined certain records containing information concerning security procedures or emergency preparedness information developed and maintained by the school district for the protection of students, employees, and visitors of the school district or property under the jurisdiction of the school district shall be confidential as their disclosure could reasonably be expected to jeopardize such persons or property.
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  • Public Records Requests

     

    Contact
    Peggy Epstein
    Board Secretary
    515-633-5023
     

    The Board of Education recognizes the public’s right of access to information not of a confidential nature. Through its public relations program, the district intends to provide public information on pertinent topics in a timely manner, in accordance with law.

    Public records of the school district may be viewed by the public during the regular business hours of the administration offices of the school district.  These hours are 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for holidays.

    Persons wishing to view the school district’s public records will contact the Board secretary and make arrangements for the viewing.  The Board secretary will make arrangements for viewing the records as soon as practicable, depending on the nature of the request.

    Persons may request copies of public records by telephone or in writing, including electronically. Persons wanting copies may be assessed a fee for the time required for personnel to compile requested information as well as for copies of the documents. The school district may require pre-payment of the costs prior to compiling, copying, and mailing the records requested.

    Pursuant to Iowa law, the Board has determined certain records containing information concerning security procedures or emergency preparedness information developed and maintained by the school district for the protection of students, employees, and visitors of the school district or property under the jurisdiction of the school district shall be confidential as their disclosure could reasonably be expected to jeopardize such persons or property.  Such records include the following:

    • Security or response plans or procedures
    • Emergency preparedness or response procedures or protocols
    • Evacuation procedures
    • Security codes, combinations, passwords, and restricted area passes and/or keys
    • Technology infrastructure and security documentation
    • Technology security codes and passwords
    • Vulnerability assessments
    • Records that if disclosed would significantly increase the vulnerability of critical physical systems or infrastructures of the school district to attack

     

    Board Policy 901.02
Last Modified on March 8, 2021