Board members' actions, verbal and nonverbal, reflect the attitude and the beliefs of the school district. Therefore, board members must conduct themselves professionally and in a manner fitting to their position.
Each board member shall follow the code of ethics stated in this policy.
AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER:
- I will listen.
- I will respect the opinion of others.
- I will recognize the integrity of my predecessors and associates and the merit of their work.
- I will be motivated only by an earnest desire to serve my school district and the children of my school district community in the best possible way.
- I will not use the school district or any part of the school district program for my own personal advantage or for the advantage of my friends or supporters.
- I will vote for a closed session of the board if the situation requires it, but I will consider "star chamber" or "secret" sessions of board members unethical.
- I will recognize that to promise in advance of a meeting how I will vote on any proposition which is to be considered is to close my mind and agree not to think through other facts and points of view which may be presented in the meeting.
- I will expect, in board meetings, to spend more time on education programs and procedures than on business details.
- I will recognize that authority rests with the board in legal session and not with individual members of the board, except as authorized by law.
- I will make no disparaging remarks, in or out of the board meeting, about other members of the board or their opinions.
- I will express my honest and most thoughtful opinions frankly in board meetings in an effort to have decisions made for the best interests of the children and the education program.
- I will insist that the members of the board participate fully in board action and recommend that when special committees are appointed, they serve only in an investigative and advisory capacity.
- I will abide by majority decisions of the board.
- I will carefully consider petitions, resolutions and complaints and will act in the best interests of the school district.
- I will not discuss the confidential business of the board in my home, on the street or in my office; the place for such discussion is the board meeting.
- I will endeavor to keep informed on local, state and national educational developments of significance so I may become a better board member.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 21.6(3)(d); 68B; 69; 277.28; 279.7A, 279.8, 301.28.
Cross Reference: 202 Board of Directors Members
203 Board of Directors' Conflict of Interest
Approved: February 1993
Review January 1999, April 2009, February 2010, February 2013, February 2016, February 2019, January 2022
