Iowa Code § 276.3 (2026)

As used in sections 276.1, 276.2, this section, sections 276.4, 276.5, and sections 276.8 through 276.11, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. “Board” means the local board of directors of school districts.

2. “Community” means the area located within the boundaries of the local school district.

3. “Community education” means a lifelong education process concerning itself with every facet that affects the well-being of all citizens within a given community and serves all of the following purposes: a. To extend the role of the school from one of teaching children through an elementary and secondary program to one of providing for citizen participation in identifying the wants, needs, and concerns of the neighborhood community and coordinating all educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities within the community with community education being the catalyst for providing for citizen participation in the development and implementation of programs toward the goal of improving the entire community. b. To energize people to strive for the achievement of determined goals and stimulate capable persons to assume leadership responsibilities. c. To welcome and work with all groups without drawing any lines. d. To serve as the one institution in the entire community that has the opportunity to reach all people and groups and to gain their cooperation.

4. “Community school” means any elementary or secondary school. \n Tue Dec 09 22:17:58 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 276 (19, 0) §276.3, COMMUNITY EDUCATION 2\n\n 5. “Department” means the department of education.

6. “Director” means the local community school director who assumes responsibility for making the process function effectively.

7. “District-wide advisory council” means a broadly representative group of persons selected from the entire school district with at least one representative from each of the local advisory councils after they are formed. At least one member of the council shall be a representative from the local public recreation department or agency, if one exists.

8. “Local advisory council” means a broadly representative group of persons living within the attendance boundaries of an individual neighborhood school.

9. “State consultant” means the state community education consultant. [C79, 81, §276.3] 86 Acts, ch 1245, §1466; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §77; 2021 Acts, ch 80, §149 Referred to in §276.1 \n