24FC:0113 Geralyn Jones/Linn-Mar Community School District - Final Report

Topics:

Formal Complaints

Date:
04/17/2025

Subject:
Geralyn Jones/Linn-Mar Community School District  - Final Report

Opinion:

The Iowa Public Information Board

In re the Matter of:

Geralyn Jones, Complainant


And Concerning:

Linn-Mar Community School District,  Respondent

Case Number:  24FC:0113

Final Report

              

On November 11, 2024, Geralyn Jones filed formal complaint 24FC:0113, alleging the Linn-Mar Community School District Board of Directors (Board) violated Iowa Code Chapter 21.

IPIB accepted this Complaint on November 21, 2024, finding the following potential violation.

Secret Vote Conducted During Meeting

During the Board’s annual election of their Board President, two candidates were nominated in open session, but the winning candidate was selected using an anonymous paper ballot. The votes of individual members were not made public during the meeting, though Board members unanimously certified the results of the ballot to elect the new Board President. Because this process constituted a facial violation of Iowa Code Β§ 21.3, which generally requires actions and discussion to be conducted and executed in open session, the complaint was accepted.

Procedure

IPIB accepted this Complaint on November 21, 2024. Upon acceptance, the parties worked toward an informal resolution agreement.

Geralyn Jones approved the Informal Resolution on February 13, 2025.

The Board approved the Informal Resolution on February 10, 2025.

IPIB approved the Informal Resolution Report on February 20, 2025.

All terms of the Informal Resolution have been met. IPIB staff recommends this Final Report be adopted and the complaint be dismissed as resolved.

By the IPIB Executive Director

Erika Eckley, J.D.