Indianola school board to appoint replacement after director Rob Keller resigns

The Indianola Community School District board announced that director Rob Keller submitted a letter of resignation effective June 1 and that the board will appoint a temporary replacement to serve until the next regular election on Nov. 4, 2025.

The board said under Iowa Code 279.6 and district policy 202-2004 it must fill the vacancy by appointment. The board also published a public notice instructing interested electors to submit a letter of interest to Superintendent Tara Paul or to the district administrative office. The notice states eligible electors may petition for a special election within 14 days of publication, but because the vacancy occurred fewer than 180 days before the Nov. 4, 2025 election, petitions for a special election will not change the requirement that the seat appear on the regular ballot for the remaining two-year term.

The board directed staff to open a window to accept letters of interest and scheduled a special board meeting to make the appointment. The board instructed candidates may submit a letter of interest; the board will review submissions and make the appointment at the special meeting. The appointed person would serve until the Nov. 4, 2025 election, when the seat will appear on the ballot to fill the remainder of the two-year term. Individuals who want to run for the full four-year seats on the ballot must file separately during the regular candidate filing window.

The board emphasized its need to act quickly to comply with statutory timelines. The district’s public notice cites Iowa Code 279.6 and board policy 202-2004 and includes contact information for Board Secretary Stephanie Montgomery for petition and filing questions.

The board also publicly thanked Rob Keller for five-and-a-half years of service, including four years as board president during the COVID-19 period.