Policy committee narrows vacancy procedure, sets 14-day application window and clarifies resignation timing
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Summary
Keystone Central SD's policy committee refined its vacancies policy to require a public announcement on district channels and a 14-day application window (calendar days), clarified that the statutory 30-day clock starts when the board acknowledges a resignation, and removed language forcing reopening when only one candidate applies.
The Keystone Central SD policy committee on Feb. 11 refined the district's vacancies procedure, agreeing to language that sets a 14-day application window (calendar days), clarifies how and when the vacancy clock starts, and modernizes notice language to rely on district announcement channels rather than a costly newspaper advertising requirement.
Committee members replaced the word "advertise" with "announcement" and agreed the vacancy posting should appear on the district website, district social media, and a placement in the paper of record, with the application window open for 14 calendar days. "Announcement on the district website homepage, all district social media sites, and an ad placed in the paper of record...the window for applications is open for 14 business days," Speaker 2 read during the session before the group agreed to use calendar days to avoid confusion around holidays.
Members also clarified when the state-mandated 30-day clock for filling vacancies begins. "The state code is the 30 clock starts when the board acknowledges the resignation," Speaker 3 said. Committee discussion settled on language stating that board notice of vacancy "shall begin the day the board acknowledges the resignation," and removed an unclear phrase about the date being "deferred/altered."
The committee debated operational details: whether interviews may be in-person, virtual, or by telephone (the committee accepted all three), and what to do if only one candidate applies. After discussing past practice, members removed language that would automatically reopen applications if only one candidate applied, concluding the board may accept a single candidate if a majority votes to do so.
Because state code timing can be affected by holidays, members discussed a practical workaround: the board president may call a special meeting so the board can publicly accept a resignation, thereby starting the statutory clock and enabling the vacancy process to proceed promptly. Staff will tidy the draft language and circulate it; the revised Policy 004 will be presented for first read and must be ready for the upcoming board packet deadline.
