(1) The appealing party shall be known as petitioner, and the responding party shall be known as respondent.

(2) When a party appeals to the county superintendent, the notice of appeal must include:

(a) a caption setting forth the name and the county of the superintendent;

(b) the names and addresses of all appropriate parties;

(c) a clear and concise statement of the matters asserted;

(d) a statement setting forth the basis for the contested case that the county superintendent has proper jurisdiction;

(e) references to the particular sections of the statutes and rules involved.

(3) The notice of appeal shall be signed by the petitioner and/or the petitioner's representative.

(4) Failure of any party to take any step other than the timely filing of a notice of appeal does not affect the validity of the appeal but is grounds for such action as the county superintendent deems appropriate, which may include dismissal of the appeal.