Code of Ethics for School Board Members
As a member of my local Board of Trustees, I will strive to improve public education, and to that end I will:
- Attend all regularly scheduled Board meetings insofar as possible, and become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings;
- Attend all regularly scheduled Board meetings insofar as possible, having read my packet ensuring that I am informed about the issues to be considered at the meeting;
- 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 to the Superintendent;
- Recognize and respect the responsibilities that properly are delegated to the Superintendent;
- Communicate to the Superintendent expression of public reaction to Board policies, school programs, or staff;
- Inform myself about current educational issues by individual study and through participation in programs providing needed information, such as those sponsored by the Idaho and National School Boards Associations;
- Support the employment of those persons best qualified to serve as school staff, and insist on regular and impartial evaluation of staff;
- Avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest, and refrain from using my Board position for personal or partisan gain;
- Avoid compromising the Board or administration by inappropriate individual action or comments, and respect the confidentiality of information that is privileged under applicable law;
- Remember always that my first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of the students attending public schools.
Policy History: First Reading: 10/29/02
Adopted on: Second Reading: 11/26/02
Revised on: 10/16/19