MSAD 9 POLICY MANUAL
File: BCA
BOARD MEMBER CODE OF ETHICS
This code of ethics will serve as a guide for providing a free public education to all the children of MSAD No. 9 within the State of Maine. Having accepted the challenge of service on the board of directors, directors are guided by the principles set forth in the following code of ethics.
Service on the board of directors is an opportunity to serve the community, state, and nation because public education is the best means to promote the welfare of people and to preserve a democratic way of life.
Board members must:
A. Think of children first and base all decisions on the affect on children, their education, and their training.
B. Make no disparaging remarks, in or out of the board meetings, about other members of the board or their opinions.
C. Remember at all times that each director has no legal authority outside the meetings of the board, and that directors should conduct their relationship with the school staff, the local citizenry, and all media on the basis of this fact.
D. Recognize that a director's responsibility is not to operate the schools but to see that they are well operated.
E. Seek to provide education for all children in the community commensurate with their needs and abilities.
F. Listen to all citizens but refer all complaints to the proper authorities, and discuss such complaints only at a regular meeting after failure of administrative solution.
G. Support a decision graciously once it has been made by the majority of the board.
H. Not criticize employees publicly, but make such criticism to the superintendent for investigation and action, if necessary.
I. Make decisions openly after all facts bearing on a question have been presented and discussed.
J. Refuse to make promises as to how a director will vote on a matter that should properly come before the board as a whole.
K. Refuse to discuss the confidential business of the board at home, on the street, or place of employment, the place for such discussion is the board meeting.
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MSAD No. 9
File: BCA
L. Confine board action to policy making, planning, and appraisal, leaving the administration of the schools to the superintendent.
M. Welcome and encourage cooperation and participation by teachers, administrators, and other personnel in developing policies that affect their welfare and that of the children they serve.
N. Endeavor at all times to see that schools have adequate financial support within the capabilities of the community and state, in order that every child may receive the best possible education.
O. Resist every temptation and outside pressure to use a position as a board member to benefit oneself or any individual or agency apart from the total interest of the school district.
P. Endeavor to attend every regular and special board meeting recognizing that each director's presence means representation for each community. If attendance is not possible for an extended length of time, then consideration should be given to resigning from the board.
Q. Recognize at all times that the board of directors serves as an agent of the state, and as such, needs to abide by the laws of the state and the regulations formulated by the State Board of Education, which is responsible for educational policies as determined by legislative acts.
Adopted: September 13, 1994