The Iowa City Community School District is currently seeking applicants for its Financial Oversight Committee. The committee will serve in an advisory role to the Board of Education and provide independent oversight and recommendations related to the district’s financial reporting, budgeting, audits, internal controls, risk management, and long-term financial sustainability.
The re-establishment of a community-informed Financial Oversight Committee is an important step to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the district’s financial practices. Greater Iowa City, Inc. has heard directly from business and civic leaders interested in supporting the district at this critical time, and we have offered to serve as a neutral convener of a vetting committee to ensure candidates presented to the school board for final selection are qualified and have been evaluated using consistent, transparent criteria.
Application Process and Desired Qualifications
Applications for the Financial Oversight Committee are currently available on the ICCSD website. Applications are due July 13.
The committee is seeking community members with expertise in areas such as accounting, auditing, finance, banking, business leadership, risk management, or law. Applicants will be evaluated using this selection rubric, which places the greatest value on financial or technical expertise, while also accounting for analytical thinking, governance and role understanding, independence and integrity, and other important qualities.
For a complete picture of the Financial Oversight Committee’s purpose, responsibilities, membership, and operating procedure, consult the Financial Oversight Committee Charter. Per the charter, preference will be given to applicants who are residents of the Iowa City Community School District or who have children attending Iowa City Community Schools. However, any community member with the requisite skills and experience should apply.
Vetting Process and Final Selection by Board
Once the applications period has closed, Greater IC will convene a small, balanced vetting committee to review applications and recommend a slate of nominees to the Board of Education for final selection.
The vetting committee will be comprised of:
- ICCSD Superintendent or Designee per charter
- ICCSD CFO per charter
- Greater Iowa City, Inc. Board Designee
- ICCSD Foundation Board Designee
- Community Foundation of Johnson County Finance Committee Member
In identifying candidates, the selection committee will focus on building a well-rounded and credible group of nominees using the selection rubric outlined above. The vetted list of candidates will then be presented to the Board for final selection and approval.
Timeline
June 23 – Vetting committee established after Board meeting and approval
June 29 – July 13 – Applications open on ICCSD website
July 14 – 20 – Vetting committee reviews applications
July 20 – 23 – Vetting committee meets to evaluate candidates and put forward nominees
July 24 – Nominees sent to the Board of Education
July 28 – Nominees presented at Board meeting for evaluation and selection by Board members
Why This Process Matters
Strong public schools are the foundation of a strong community. As the district works through a period of heightened financial scrutiny and staff transitions, Greater IC and the broader business community want to be good partners and support this critical community asset.
The success of the Financial Oversight Committee will depend not just on the structure of the committee, but on how applicants are reviewed and put forward. We have created a transparent vetting process with clear evaluation guidelines facilitated by community leaders with experience and context, and our hope is that this process supports broad community confidence in the committee’s work moving forward.
The Financial Oversight Committee’s success also depends on the community members who choose to apply and offer to volunteer their time and expertise. If you have experience in accounting, auditing, finance, banking, business leadership, risk management, law, or other related professions, please consider applying for the Financial Oversight Committee and meeting this important community moment.
