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School Board Code of Conduct
This
Code of Conduct has been developed and recently revised by the Vermont School
Boards Association to help school boards carry out the important education decision
making role while maintaining effective relationships with school
administrators, staff, and community members.
Given the complexity of Vermont’s education governance structure,
nothing is more important than clarifying appropriate roles and responsibilities
for the school board, superintendent, and principal(s).
A
school board member has no legal powers unless participating at a legally
warned school board meeting, or acting on behalf of the school board after the
board formally grants authority to do so.
Thus, it is essential that every school board member work as a member of
the broader leadership team to perform board duties and act in a manner
consistent with the Code.
Board
members can demonstrate personal commitment to the Code by signing this
document signifying agreement to uphold the principles of the Code, both, in
letter and spirit.
Many
school boards post a copy of the signed Code in the front entrance of the school(s).
This public display of school leadership team commitment sends a powerful
message and sets the tone for how the business of education will be conducted
in the community.
As
citizens of the United States, board members have certain Constitutional
rights, including freedom of speech that cannot be taken away, whether or not
you choose to sign this document. The
only sections of this Code that require legal compliance are the “conflict of interest” and “act only as a member of the board.” All other sections represent effective
practice.
BOARD
GOVERNANCE
·
Attend all regularly
scheduled board meetings, insofar as possible, and review advance materials
about the issues to be considered on each agenda.
·
In consultation with the
community, principal, staff, and superintendent, set the vision for the
school(s).
·
Maintain
confidentiality of information and discussion conducted in executive session.
·
Review essential
facts, consider others’ ideas, and then present personal opinions during board
deliberations but, once the board vote has been taken, support board decisions
regardless of individuals positions.
·
Act only as a member
of the board and do not assume any individual authority when the board is not
in session, unless otherwise directed by the board.
·
Rely on school
policies, that are continually updated and aligned with Vermont and federal
education laws, and guidance from the superintendent, when making board
decisions.
·
Request
recommendations from the superintendent and seek legal counsel, when required,
for full and informed board consideration of issues requiring legal expertise.
· Expect an equitable amount of board meeting time be spent both learning about educational programs and conducting the business of the board.
·
Maintain
a priority board focus on increasing student achievement and ensuring efficient
use of education resources.
BOARD-ADMINISTRATION
RELATIONS
·
Recognize that a
board member’s responsibility is to see that schools are well run, but not to
run them.
·
Provide policy
support for school administrators in the performance of their duties and
delegate authority commensurate with those responsibilities.
·
Expect the
superintendent to keep the board adequately informed through regular written
and oral reports.
·
Refer complaints,
requests, and concerns to the superintendent or other appropriate staff
members.
·
Avoid making
commitments that may compromise the decision making ability of the board or
administrators.
·
Maintain open and
candid communication with the superintendent.
·
Hold the
superintendent accountable by jointly creating job performance standards and at
least annually perform a comprehensive evaluation process based on the job
description, contract, and identified performance standards.
BOARD
MEMBER RELATIONS
· Retain independent judgment and refuse to surrender that judgment to individuals or special interest groups.
·
Voice
opinions respectfully and maintain good relations with other board members,
administrators, school
staff, and members of the public.
PERSONNEL RELATIONS
·
Seek
to employ the most qualified school staff and insist on regular, impartial
employee evaluations.
·
Hire
no superintendent, principal or teacher already under contract with another school
district unless assurance is first secured from the proper authority that the
person can be released from his or her contract.
·
Individual
board members shall not give directives to any school administrator or
employee, publicly or privately.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
·
Perform
a liaison communications role by interpreting the attitudes, wishes, and needs
of both the community and the school.
·
Consider
the needs of the entire community and vote for what seems best for students.
·
Encourage
collaboration between the school and community.
·
Request
that periodic surveys be conducted with the community to assess the quality of
education services and use the data to establish and monitor goals.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
·
Do
not use board membership for political, personal, or financial advancement.
·
Do
not solicit or receive directly or indirectly any gift or compensation in
return for making a recommendation or casting a vote.
·
Do
not receive anything of value, by contract or otherwise, from the school
district or supervisory union you serve unless it is received:
o
as
a result of a contract accepted after a public bid.
o
in
public recognition of service or achievement.
o
as
a board stipend reimbursement or expense allowed by law for official duties
performed as a member of such board.
·
Agree
to recuse and remove oneself from board deliberation and votes when necessary
to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest.
BOARD PREPARATION AND
TRAINING
·
Be
informed about educational issues through individual study and by participating
in board development opportunities such as those sponsored by the Vermont and
National School Boards Associations, the Vermont Department of Education, and
other education organizations.
·
Support
new school board members by sharing your experience and knowledge.
·
Ensure
that adequate board orientation and team building opportunities are available
for board members and administrators.
·
Associate
with board members from other school districts to discuss school problems and
collaborate on school improvement initiatives.
I agree to abide by
the principles outlined in the School Board Code of Conduct and will do everything
in my power to work as a productive member of the leadership team.
________________________________
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Board Member Board Member
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Board Member Board Member
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Board Member
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Date