Classified employees are employees who are not administrators or employees in positions which require a teaching license issued by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and who are employed to fulfill the duties listed on their job description on a monthly or hourly basis. Classified employees will include, but not be limited to, teacher and classroom aides, custodial and maintenance employees, clerical employees, food service employees, bus drivers, and temporary help for summer or other maintenance. The position may be full-time or part-time.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to establish job specifications and job descriptions for classified employee positions. Job descriptions may be approved by the board.

Classified employees required to hold a license for their position must present evidence of their current license to the board secretary prior to payment of wages each year.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 20; 279.8.

Cross Reference:
405.1 Licensed Employee Defined
411.2 Classified Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection
412.3 Classified Employee Group Insurance Benefits

Approved: 11-15-21 
Reviewed: 8-21-23
Revised: _____

Persons interested in a classified employee position will have an opportunity to apply and qualify for classified employee positions in the school district in accordance with applicable laws and school district policies regarding equal employment. Job applicants for classified employee positions will be considered on the basis of the following:

• Training, experience, and skill;
• Nature of the occupation;
• Demonstrated competence; and
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, state or other license or certificate, if required, for the position.

All job openings shall be submitted to the Iowa Workforce Development for posting on IOWAworks.gov, the online state job posting system. Additional announcements of the position may occur through means the superintendent believes will inform potential applicants about the position. Whenever possible, the preliminary screening of applicants will be conducted by the administrator who directly supervises and oversees the position.

The superintendent has the authority to hire and sign support personnel employment contracts, without board approval.

Legal Reference:
29 U.S.C. §§ 621-634.
42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e; 12101 et seq.
Iowa Code §§ 20; 35C; 216; 279.8; 279.20
281 I.A.C. 12

Cross References:
401.1 Equal Employment Opportunity
401.3    Nepotism
401.6    Limitations to Employment References
410.4    Education Associate
411.1    Classified Employee Defined
411.4    Classified Employee Licensing/Certification
411.6    Classified Employee Transfers
411.7    Classified Employee Evaluation

Approved: 11-15-21 
Reviewed: 5-20-24
Revised: 5-20-24

The board may enter into written contracts with classified employees employed on a regular basis. The contract will state the terms of employment.

Each contract will include a 14-day cancellation clause. Either the employee or the board must give notice of the intent to cancel the contract at the end of 14 days. This notice will not be required when the employee is terminated during a probationary period or for cause.

Classified employees will receive a job description stating the specific performance responsibilities of their position.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to draw up and process the classified employee contracts and present them to the board for approval. The contracts, after being signed by the board president, are filed with the board secretary.

The superintendent however will have the authority to sign individual contracts to a licensed employee on a temporary basis until the contract can be approved and signed by the Board President.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 20; 279.7A; 285.5(9).

Cross Reference:
411.8 Classified Employee- Probationary Status
412.1 Classified Employee Compensation
412.2 Classified Employee Wage and Overtime Compensation

Approved: 11-15-21 
Reviewed: 8-21-23
Revised: 8-21-23

Classified employees who require a special license or other certification will keep them current at their own expense. Licensing requirements needed for a position will be considered met if the employee meets the requirements established by law for the position.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 285.5(9); 272; 279.8.
281 I.A.C. 12.4(10); 36; 43.

Cross Reference:
411.2 Classified Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection

Approved: 11-15-21
Reviewed: 8-21-23
Revised: _____

Determining the assignment of each classified employee is the responsibility of the superintendent and within the sole discretion of the board. In making such assignments each year the superintendent will consider the qualifications of each classified employee and the needs of the school district.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to assign classified employees and report such assignments to the board.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 20; 279.8.

Cross Reference:
200.2 Powers of the Board of Directors
411.6 Classified Employee Transfers

Approved: 11-15-21 
Reviewed:8-21-23
Revised: _____

Determining the location where a classified employee's assignment will be performed is the responsibility of the superintendent and within the sole discretion of the board. In making such assignments each year the superintendent will consider the qualifications of each classified employee and the needs of the school district.

A transfer may be initiated by the employee, the principal or the superintendent.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to transfer classified employees and report such transfers to the board.

Legal Reference:
29 U.S.C. §§ 621-634.
42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e et seq.
42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.
Iowa Code §§ 20.9; 35C; 216; 279.8; 294.1.

Cross Reference:
411.2 Classified Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection
411.5 Classified Employment Assignment

Approved: 11-15-21 
Reviewed: 8-21-23
Revised: _____

Evaluation of classified employees on their skills, abilities, and competence is an ongoing process supervised by the superintendent. The goal of the formal evaluation of classified employees is to maintain classified employees who meet or exceed the board's standards of performance, to clarify each classified employee's role, to ascertain the areas in need of improvement, to clarify the immediate priorities of the board, and to develop a working relationship between the administrators and other employees.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure classified employees are formally evaluated every two years. New and probationary classified employees are formally evaluated at least twice a year.

Legal Reference:
Aplington Community School District v. PERB, 392 N.W.2d 495 (Iowa 1986).
Saydel Education Association v. PERB, 333 N.W.2d 486 (Iowa 1983).
Iowa Code §§ 20.9; 279.14.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(3).

Cross Reference:
411.2 Classified Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection
411.8 Classified Employee Probationary Status

Approved: 11-15-21 
Reviewed: 8-21-23
Revised: _____

The first 90 days  of a newly employed classified employee's contract is a probationary period. "Day" is defined as one work day regardless of full-time or part-time status of the employee. New employees, regardless of experience, are subject to this probationary period.

"New" employees include individuals who are being hired for the first time by the school district and those who may have been employed by the school district in the past, but have not been employed by the board during the school year prior to the one for which contracts are being issued.

Only the board, in its discretion, may waive the probationary period.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 20; 279.8.

Cross Reference:
411.3 Classified Employee Contracts
411.7 Classified Employee Evaluation

Approved: 11-15-21 
Reviewed: 8-21-23
Revised: _____