2012: Board Code of Ethics
The board recognizes that collectively and individually, all members of the board must adhere to an accepted code of ethics in order to improve public education. Board members must conduct themselves professionally and in a manner fitting of their position.
Each board member shall:
- Attend all regularly scheduled board meetings insofar as possible, and become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings;
- Endeavor to make policy decisions only after full discussion at publicly held board meetings;
- Render all decisions based on the available facts and his or her 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 communication 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 to the administrator of the ESU
- Communicate expressions of public reaction to the board policies and ESU programs to other board members and the administrator;
- Learn about current educational issues by individual study and through participation in seminars and programs, such as those sponsored by the state and national school board associations;
- Support the employment of those persons best qualified to serve as ESU staff, and insist on a regular and impartial evaluation of all staff;
- Avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest, and refrain from using the board member's position on the board for personal or political gain;
- Refrain from discussing the confidential business of the board in any setting except a board meeting;
- Refrain from micro-managing the affairs of the ESU; and
- Recognize the administrator as the executive officer of the board.
- Work constructively and collegially with the other members of the board, students, staff and patrons.
- Refer complaints to the administrator, as appropriate.
- Always be mindful of his/her fiduciary obligation to the ESU, including duties of loyalty and care, by placing the interests of the ESU above the board member's personal interests.
- Remember that a board member's first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of the students attending member school districts
Adopted on: April 14, 2008
Revised on: February 12, 2018
Reviewed on: April 11, 2011
Reviewed on: April 12, 2021
Reviewed on: November 11, 2024