Schoolboard Ethics

2011

From School Board Member Code of Ethics

• Translated into Kindergarten slogans.• As in, COLOR WITHIN THE LINES, BUT USE ANY

COLOR YOU LIKE.

Case 1

• Our board meetings are not televised, but a recently elected member likes to give speeches. Sometimes they are very well crafted, and they go on for tens of minutes. There is a reporter present until the reporter rushes off after 8:30 to meet her deadline. The speeches stop when she leaves. Later I saw signs in yards for this guy for State Senator. What should I do?

Kindergarten Slogan: NOT ME FIRST

• 12. Refrain from using my board position for personal or partisan gain.

• Case: The guy who wanted to be Senator.

Case 2

• School board member Jones knows Mrs. Smith is a terrible teacher; his kid has suffered with her already for a semester, and Jones has heard nothing but complaints from the kid, as well as from some other parents. Too hard, too disorganized, too demanding. Jones has spoken with her frequently about how bad she is. At the beginning of the next semester he starts going to her third period class, just sitting there taking notes. What should I do?

Kindergarten Slogan: HANDS OFF OUR PUBLIC FACE!

• 5. Recognize that I, as an individual board member, have no legal authority outside the meeting of the board and will take no private action that will compromise the board or administration.

• Case: Checking up on a bad teacher.

Case 3

• Our new member already has a blog where she comments on community happenings. Now she’s talking about school board issues. She isn’t divulging executive session stuff, but she does talk about the superintendent’s clothes. What do I do?

Kindergarten Slogan: DON’T GOSSIP

• Again: Number 5, The private action might compromise the board or administration

• To blog or not to blog.

Case 4

• Mr. Stark has just been elected by a wide margin. A former jock at our high school, he was critical of our long-time football coach. At the first meeting, under Board of Education Report, where we can talk about what we’ve been doing, he launched into an attack on the coach, lobbying the rest of us to get rid of him at the earliest opportunity. It is, of course, February, not football season. What should I do?

MAKE POLICY, NOT TROUBLE

• 4. Formulate legislative goals, policies, and strategic plans for the district, delegating to administrators the administrative functions of the schools.

• Case: New football coach, please!

Case 5

• Ms. Ville has been in several executive sessions about a lawsuit, but this time we’re considering buying some land we understand is available for a new much-needed elementary school. We come out of executive session with no vote to be taken. Later that week it’s all over town that we want that land. What should I do?

DON’T BLAB

• 8. Respect the confidentiality of privileged information and refrain from disclosing information that may be injurious to individuals or the schools.

• Case: Let’s buy some land, where?

Case 6

• A small district with declining enrollment contracts with a big company to set up an online school which is supposed to attract students from across the state. We will get money at small cost to our brick and mortar operations. What should I do?

KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF

• 6. Refrain from board actions locally that would substantially interfere with or injure the program of education elsewhere.

• Case: The virtual school?• Case: The big districts versus the small

Case 7

• Peters has listened to the discussion and has studied her board materials, is punctual and pleasant. She does not join in during discussions, even on board retreats. But when anything comes up for a vote, she always votes no. When we ask why, she refuses to explain. What do I do?

Kindergarten Slogan: LET’S PLAY TOGETHER

• 10. Be committed to promoting a cooperative atmosphere in order for the board to effectively serve the students.

• Case: Being a board member meant never having to say you’re sorry (or explain that you are).

Case 8

• Pitzer comes to a board meeting very excited because the company he works for has just decided to make a contribution to our small, struggling district. Pitzer and his boss want to have the money used to install smart boards and the latest technology in the one elementary that has met its Adequate Yearly Progress goals and has more educated and involved parents, not the other one, that hasn’t. What do I do?

Slogan: The Biggie: WE TAKE TURNS, AND WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

• 1. Remember always that my first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of all students attending school in our district, and ensuring that they have the opportunity to reach their highest potential.

• Case: Smart boards for the schools with the most educated parents?

AND ALSO:

“Former member is back on Spavinaw Board” Friday May 27, 2011 Tulsa World

• Removed for not having continuing education credits, he was reappointed; considered a new member, he can get his 12 hours of instruction within 15 months.

• Julie Miller: “It’s perfectly legal. It just might not pass the smell test with the community.”

Greensboro, GA, Confederate Memorial

New Orleans Public Schools

John McDonogh

• Eccentric shipping millionaire, 1779-1850, left $2 million for public schools in New Orleans and Baltimore

• New Orleans did not have a public school system, so he posthumously started it, explicitly for poor white and poor free black students.

Mark Twain, 1835-1910

• Always do right. This will gratify some and astonish the rest.

• Thanks for your attention, and your concern!