Code of Ethics for School Board Members

The ASBA Board endorses the following code for local school board members:

As a member of my local Board of Education I will strive to improve public education, and to that end I will:

Attend all scheduled Board meetings insofar as possible, and become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings;

Recognize that a board member 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 of the schools to the Superintendent;

Communicate to other Board members and the Superintendent expression of public reaction to Board policies and school programs;

Inform oneself about current educational issues by individual study and through participation in programs providing needed information, such as those sponsored by my state and national school boards association;

Support the employment of those persons best qualified to serve as school 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 my Board position for personal or partisan gain;

Take no private action that will compromise the Board or administration, and respect the confidentiality of information that is privileged under applicable law, and

Remember always that my first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of the students attending the public schools.

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