281—6.6(290,17A) Decision and appeal.
	6.6(1) The presiding officer, after due consideration of the record and the arguments presented, will make a decision on the appeal. The proposed decision will be mailed to the parties or their representatives by regular mail. The parties may elect to receive the proposed decision by other means, such as electronic mail or electronic filing.
	6.6(2) The decision may only be based on the laws of the United States, the state of Iowa and the regulations and policies of the department of education and in the best interest of education.
	6.6(3) A proposed decision of the presiding officer, if there is no appeal under subrule 6.6(4), is placed on the consent agenda of the next regular board meeting for summary adoption, unless the decision is within the province of the director to make.
	6.6(4) Any adversely affected party may appeal a proposed decision to the state board within 20 days after issuance of the proposed decision by filing a notice of appeal with the office of the director. The notice of appeal will be signed by the appealing party or a representative of that party, contain a certificate of service (or other evidence of service), and specify:
	a. 	The names and addresses of the parties initiating the appeal;
	b. 	The proposed decision to be appealed;
	c. 	The specific findings or conclusions to which exception is taken and any other exceptions to the decision;
	d. 	The relief sought; and
	e. 	The grounds for relief.
	6.6(5) Unless otherwise ordered, within 15 days of a party’s filing of the notice of appeal, each appealing party may file exceptions and briefs. Within ten days after the filing of exceptions and briefs by the appealing party, any party may file a responsive brief. Briefs shall cite any applicable legal authority, specify relevant portions of the record in the proceeding below, and be limited to a maximum length of 25 pages. An opportunity for oral arguments may be given with the consent of the board. To be granted oral argument, a party must file a request to present oral arguments with the party’s briefs. With or without oral argument, the appeal of the proposed decision will be placed on the next regular board agenda.
	6.6(6) The board may affirm, modify, or vacate the decision or may direct a rehearing before the director or the director’s designee.
	6.6(7) Copies of the final decision will be sent to the parties or their representatives by regular mail within five days after state board action, if mandated, on the proposed decision.
	6.6(8) No individual who participates in the making of any decision may have advocated in connection with the hearing, the specific controversy underlying the case, or other pending factually related matters. Nor may any individual who participates in the making of any proposed decision be subject to the authority, direction, or discretion of any person who has advocated in connection with the hearing, the specific controversy underlying the hearing, or a pending related matter involving the same parties.
[ARC 7427C, IAB 12/27/23, effective 1/31/24]