School Board Elections
In Iowa, school board members, or directors, are elected to serve four-year terms. School Board elections are held on the second Tuesday of every-other odd-numbered year. School board members are an unpaid elected position. This page includes information on upcoming School Board elections and the director districts now used in elections.
2013 School Board Election
This year’s School Board election will be held on Tuesday, September 10. The polls open at 7:00 AM.
There will be four seats on the ballot this year:
- two at-large positions
- two elected by district (districts 2 and 4; see below for a map of school board districts).
For additional information on polling locations and other information for voters visit the Polk County Auditor’s Office.
Key Dates – The following are key dates in the School Board election process:
- July 8 – First day to submit nominating petitions to Des Moines Public Schools
- August 1 – Last day to submit nominating petitions to Des Moines Public Schools (no later than 5:00 PM)
- August 2 – Des Moines Public Schools submits petitions to Polk County Auditor’s Office
- August 6 – Last day a candidate may withdraw their name from the ballot
- September 10 – Election Day
- September 13 – Official canvass of the votes
- September 17 – Organizational meeting of the School Board
Forms – Candidates are required to submit the following two forms in order to have their name placed on the ballot for the 2013 School Board election:
- Nominating Petition (a minimum of 50 signatures from eligible electors is required)
- Candidate Affidavit (NOTE: this form must be notarized before being submitted)
The above two forms must be submitted to Sarah Taylor of Des Moines Public Schools at 901 Walnut Street no later than 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 1.
Individuals interested in running for School Board should also download and review the School Board Candidate Guide prepared by the Iowa Secretary of State.
Director Districts
On September 13, 2011 voters in the Des Moines school district approved a proposal to elect school board members by director districts. Between now and the 2015 election, three school board members will be elected at-large and four will be elected by director districts. In the past, all Des Moines school board members were elected at-large.
The school board adopted, and the Iowa Secretary of State approved, a map which created four districts, each one representing at least one high school.
Click on the image below to see an enlarged version of the director district map:
Click here to download a PDF of the director districts map
Transition to Director Districts
On September 18, 2012 the school board approved the following seats being on the ballot in the next upcoming elections:
2013
- Two at-large seats
- District 2
- District 4
2015
- One at-large seat
- District 1
- District 3