Section 735 - Officers; election; term; vacancy; bond(a) Officers. At an annual meeting of the unified union school district, the voters shall elect a moderator from among the registered voters of the district. The voters shall also vote to elect a clerk and a treasurer of the district; provided, however, at any annual or special meeting, the voters may vote to authorize the school board to appoint the clerk or the treasurer, or both. The clerk of the district shall be elected or appointed from among the voters. The treasurer may also be the supervisory union treasurer and need not be a resident of the union school district.(b) Election. (1) If an officer is elected by Australian ballot in a unified union school district, then the provisions of subdivision 730(a)(3) for election by Australian ballot of at-large candidates for the unified union school district board shall apply.(2) Votes cast to elect an officer shall be commingled and reported to the voters pursuant to section 742 (commingling of votes cast by Australian ballot and from the floor) of this chapter.(c) Terms. (1) Moderator. A moderator elected at an annual meeting pursuant to this section shall assume office on July 1 following the election, unless the voters vote at an annual meeting for the moderator to assume office upon election. A moderator shall serve a term of one year or until a successor is elected and has taken the oath of office unless the voters extend the term length up to three years.(2) Clerk. A clerk elected at an annual meeting pursuant to this section shall assume office on July 1 following the election. A clerk shall serve a term of one year or until a successor is elected and has taken the oath of office unless the voters extend the term length up to three years.(3) Treasurer. A treasurer elected at an annual meeting pursuant to this section shall assume office on July 1 following the election. A treasurer shall serve a term of one year or until a successor is elected and has taken the oath of office unless the voters extend the term length up to three years.(d) Vacancy. The board of the unified union school district shall fill a vacancy in any office elected pursuant to this section as soon as practicable after the vacancy occurs. The appointee shall serve upon appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term of office or until the voters elect a successor.(e) Oath of office. An officer elected or appointed pursuant to this section shall be sworn in before entering upon the duties of the office.(f) Bond. The district shall ensure that its blanket bond covers a newly elected or appointed treasurer before the treasurer enters upon the duties of the office. In lieu of a blanket bond, the district may choose to provide suitable crime insurance coverage.(g) Notification. Within 10 days after the election or appointment of any officer pursuant to this section, the clerk of the unified union school district shall transmit the name of the officer to the Secretary of State.Added by 2022 , No. 176, § 3, eff. 6/7/2022.