BBF-E

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER ETHICS

As a member of my local Board of Education, I will strive to improve public education, and to that end I will strive to:

• Attend all regular scheduled Board meetings insofar as possible, and become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings;

• Recognize that I should endeavor to make policy decisions only after full discussion at publicly held Board meetings;

• Render all decisions based on the available facts and my independent judgment, and refuse to surrender that judgment to individuals or special interest groups;

• Encourage the free expression of opinion by all Board members, and seek systematic communications between the Board and students, staff, and all elements of the community;

• Work with other Board members to establish effective Board policies and to delegate authority for the administration of the schools to the Superintendent of Schools;

• Communicate to other Board members and the Superintendent expressions of public reaction to Board policies and school programs;

• Inform myself about current educational issues by individual study and through participation in programs providing needed information, such as those sponsored by my state and national school boards associations;

• Support the employment of those persons best qualified to serve as school staff, and insist on a regular and impartial evaluation of all staff;

• Avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest, and refrain from using my Board position for personal or partisan gain;

• Take no private action that will compromise the Board or administration, and respect the confidentiality of information that is privileged under applicable law or is received in confidence or non-public session;

• Remember always that my first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of the students attending the public schools.

Adoption Date: April 8, 1993