The Iowa Public Information Board
In re the Matter of: Michael Chapman, Complainant And Concerning: Waterloo Community School District Finance Committee, Respondent |
Case Number: 25FC:0031 Final Report
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COMES NOW, Alexander Lee, Agency Counsel for the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB), and enters this Final Report:
On March 26, 2025, Michael Chapman filed formal complaint 25FC:0031, alleging the Finance Committee of the Waterloo Community School District Board of Education violated Iowa Code Chapter 21.
The IPIB accepted this complaint at its meeting on April 17, 2025.
Background
The Waterloo Community School District is a public school district in Black Hawk County, which is governed by a seven-member Board of Education.
Under this Board, there is a Finance Committee, a multimembered body which was comprised of the Board’s President, the Board’s Vice President, and another Board member at the time of the complaint, though this specific composition was not required by any rule. On March 26, 2025, the complainant, Michael Chapman, attempted to attend a meeting of the Finance Committee but was informed that the session was not open to the public.
On September 18, 2025, IPIB considered an investigative report with stipulated facts about the nature and duties of the Finance Committee. While no final, formal decision was made on this case, IPIB’s executive board adopted staff’s recommended analysis that there was probable cause to find the Finance Committee qualified as a governmental body under Iowa Code § 21.2(1)(c) based on the facts presented. See 25FC:0031, Michael Chapman/Waterloo Community School District Finance Committee.
The matter was redirected for further consideration, and the District subsequently agreed to proceed with informal resolution.
Informal Resolution
Following mediation, all parties agreed to an Informal Resolution to resolve the complaint, which IPIB approved on March 19, 2026. In adopting the resolution, the parties acknowledged the agreement was not to be construed as an admission of any liability or wrongdoing, which was expressly denied by the District. The following terms were included:
This Informal Resolution was formally approved by the Waterloo Community School District during an open session meeting on March 9, 2026. The District provided IPIB staff with a copy of the minutes demonstrating approval.
In approving this Informal Resolution, the District agreed that future meetings of the Finance Committee would be held pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 21 so long as it continues to exist in its current form.
The District further acknowledged that Term #2 applied to other, permanent committees with substantially similar committee members and which are given similar authority and discretion to set their own priorities and agendas within broad policy categories.
Michael Chapman approved the Informal Resolution on March 10, 2026.
The Waterloo Community School District Board of Directors and Finance Committee jointly approved the Informal Resolution on March 9, 2026.
IPIB approved the Informal Resolution Report on March 19, 2026.
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 Agency Counsel,
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Alexander Lee, J.D.
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
This document was sent on April 8, 2026, to:
Michael Chapman, Complainant
Waterloo Community School District, Respondent