Bylaws of the Board

9251-BP

ETHICS FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS

Board members should subscribe to the following informal code of ethics:

1. As a SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, I know that my primary responsibility is to the child. I am, in effect, the adult conscience of my community with regard to the welfare of children. The welfare of the child will, therefore, be my first consideration in my actions as a board member.
2. As a SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, I know my second responsibility is to the citizens who elected me. What I do reflects their concerns. I am accountable to the citizens for the allocation of the public funds entrusted to me. Such allocation should in fact reflect the concerns expressed to me. The concerns of district citizens will, therefore, be my second consideration in my actions as a board member.
3. As a SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, I recognize that I am a major employer. What I do will affect the capacity of many people to practice the profession or trade in which they have so much personal investment. What I do will affect the material quality of their lives and the lives of their children. Justice for the people I employ will, therefore, be my third consideration in my actions as a board member.
4. As a SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, I realize that I represent the authority of government. I possess the power to grant and to deny. But the power is not mine individually. In a democracy it should be exercised with concern and care for the least influential member of society; that is, the rights of the minority must be protected. Concern for every individual will thus be my fourth consideration in my actions as a board member.
5. As a SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, I realize that I am but one element of a policy-making body. As such I have no authority outside the official meetings of the board. I am aware that the success of our educational programs is dependent in part on my ability to work with my fellow board members in a spirit of harmony and cooperation despite differences of opinion that may arise. I further recognize that administration of the educational program and the conduct of school business is the responsibility of the Superintendent of Schools and his staff. A sense of loyalty to associates and respect for group decisions cooperatively reached will, therefore, be my fifth consideration in my actions as a board member.
6. As a SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, I acknowledge that I am a separate individual. My feelings and views are unique to me, based on my own personal experiences. Like all other individuals, I have something to contribute to the sum of society. Unlike most other individuals, I have the opportunity and the responsibility to make some of these contributions as a board member, and will do so to the best of my ability. My personal feelings and concepts will, therefore, be my sixth consideration in my actions as a board member.

Understanding and acting upon the foregoing premises, each board member shall:

1. Consider his/her position on the board as a public trust and not use it for private advantage or personal gain.
2. Be constantly aware that he/she has no legal authority except when acting as a member of the board. Board members shall present their concerns and concepts through the process of board debate. If in the minority of any decision, they shall abide by and support staff in the implementation of the majority decision. When in the majority, they shall respect divergent opinions.
3. Encourage ideas and opinions from the residents of the district and endeavor to incorporate community views into the deliberations and decisions of the board.
4. Devote sufficient time, thought, and study to proposed actions so as to be able to base decisions upon all available facts and vote in accordance with honest convictions, unswayed by partisan bias of any kind.
5. Remember that the basic functions of the board are to establish the policies by which district schools are administered and to select the superintendent and staff which will implement those policies.
6. Promote and participate actively in a concerted program of timely exchange of information with all district residents, parents, employees, and students.
7. Recognize that the deliberations of the board in closed session may be released or discussed in public only with board approval.
8. Make use of opportunities to enlarge his/her potential as a board member through participation in educational conferences, workshops, and training sessions made available by local, state, and national agencies.

Bylaw adopted:	8/4/75
Bylaw revised:	4/28/92