Shelby County Board of Education
Return to Index

0020
 
Issued Date: 03/31/11


E T H I C S



The Board adopts this Code of Ethics as recommended by the Tennessee School Boards Association as a guide to its members as they provide educational leadership for the youth of our state.



 ARTICLE I. MY RELATIONS TO THE CHILDREN
Section 1. I will at all times think in terms of children first, always determining other important things according to how they affect education and training of children.
Section 2. I will seek to provide equal educational opportunities for all children regardless of ability, race, color, sex, creed or location of residence.



ARTICLE II. MY RELATIONS TO MY COMMUNITY
Section 1. I will endeavor to appraise fairly both the present and future educational needs of the community and to support improvements as finances permit.
Section 2. I will represent at all times the entire school community and refuse to represent special interest or partisan politics.
Section 3. I will endeavor to keep the community informed about the process and needs of the schools.



ARTICLE III. MY RELATIONS TO TEACHERS AND PERSONNEL
Section 1. I will support the employment of those persons best qualified to serve as employees and insist on a regular and impartial evaluation of all staff.
Section 2. I will support and protect personnel in performance of their duties.
Section 3. I will not criticize employees publicly but will make such criticism to the superintendent for investigation and action if necessary.



ARTICLE IV. MY RELATIONS WITH OTHER BOARD MEMBERS
Section 1. I will recognize that authority rests only with the Board in official meetings and that the individual member has no legal status outside of such meetings.
Section 2. I will refuse to make promises as to how I will vote on a matter which should properly come before the Board as a whole.
Section 3. I will make decisions only after full discussion of matters at a board meeting.
Section 4. I will respect the opinion of other members and will accept the principle of majority rule.



ARTICLE V. MY RELATIONS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
Section 1. I will support full administrative authority as well as responsibility for the superintendent to properly discharge all professional duties.
Section 2. I will support superintendent accountability for working and requiring staff to work within the framework of policies set up by the Board.
Section 3. I will refer all complaints and concerns to the superintendent.



ARTICLE VI. MY RELATIONS TO MYSELF
Section 1. I will inform myself about my duties and responsibilities and current educational issues by individual study and through participation in programs providing needed information, such as those sponsored by school boards associations.
Section 2. I will avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest, and will refrain from using my board position for personal or partisan gain.



Adopted 08/27/98