204 Code of Ethics

BOARD MEMBER ETHICS

Board members' actions 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

  1. I will listen.
  2. I will respect the opinion of others.
  3. I will recognize the integrity of my predecessors and associates and the merit of their work.
  4. I will be motivated only by an earnest desire to serve my district and the children of my community in the best way possible.
  5. 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.
  6. I will vote for a closed session of the Board if the situation requires it, but I will consider secret sessions of board members unethical.
  7. 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.
  8. I will expect, in Board meetings, to spend more time on educational programs and procedures than on business details.
  9. 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.
  10. I will make no disparaging remarks, in or out of the Board meeting, about other members of the Board or their opinions.
  11. I will express my honest and most thoughtful opinions frankly, in Board meetings, in an effort to have all decisions made for the best interests of the children and the schools.
  12. I will insist that all members of the Board participate fully in Board action, and recommend that when sub-committees are appointed, they serve only in an investigative and advisory capacity.
  13. I will abide by majority decisions of the Board.
  14. I will carefully consider petitions, resolutions, and complaints, and will act upon them in the best interests of the schools district.
  15. 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 being the school board meeting.
  16. I will endeavor to keep informed on all local, state, and national educational development of significance so that I may become a better school board member.

IN MEETING MY RESPONSIBILITY TO MY SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMUNITY

  1. I will consider myself a trustee of public education and will do my best to protect it, conserve it and advance it, giving to the children of my school district community the educational facilities that are as complete and adequate as it is possible to provide.
  2. I will consider it an important responsibility of the Board to interpret the aims, methods, and attitudes of the school district  to the community.
  3. I will earnestly try to interpret the needs and attitudes of the school district community and do my best to translate them into the educational program of the schools district.
  4. I will attempt to procure adequate financial support for the school district’s  programs.
  5. I will represent the entire school district rather than individual electors, patrons, or groups.
  6. I will not regard the schools district facilities as my own private property, but as the property of the people.

IN MY RELATIONSHIP WITH SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF

  1. I will function, in meeting the legal responsibility that is mine, as part of a legislative, policy-forming body, not as an administrative officer.
  2. I will recognize that it is my responsibility, together with that of my fellow board members, to see that the schools are properly run – not to run them myself.
  3. I will expect the schools to be administered by the best-trained technical and professional people it is possible to procure within the financial resources of the district.
  4. I will recognize the superintendent as executive officer of the Board.
  5. I will work through the administrative employees of the Board, not over or around them.
  6. I will expect the superintendent to keep the school board adequately informed through oral and written reports.
  7. I will vote to employ employees only after the recommendation of the superintendent has been received.
  8. I will insist that contracts be equally binding on the employee and the school board.
  9. I will give the superintendent power commensurate with the superintendent's responsibility and will not in any way interfere with, or seek to undermine, the superintendent's authority.
  10. I will give the superintendent friendly counsel and advice.
  11. I will present any personal criticism of employees to the superintendent.
  12. I will refer complaints to the proper administrative officer.

TO COOPERATE WITH OTHER SCHOOL BOARDS

  1. I will not employ a superintendent, principal, or teacher who is already under contract with another school without first securing assurance from the proper authority that the person can be released from contract.
  2. I will consider it unethical to pursue any procedure calculated to embarrass a neighboring board or it’s representatives. 
  3. I will associate myself with school board members of other school districts for the purpose of discussing school district issues and cooperating in the improvement of the education program.

Legal Reference:       
Iowa Code §§ 21.6(3)(d); 68B; 69; 277.28; 279.7A, 279.8, 301.28 (2013).

Cross Reference:      
202 Board of Directors Members
203 Board of Directors' Conflict of Interest

Adopted: 1.30.1989
Revised/Reviewed: 11.18.2019

Reviewed 02.21.2022