CODE OF ETHICS OF THE BOARD
School Board members, as public officials, should strive to perform all the duties of office in an ethical manner.
In general, the Board members should operate within the code of ethics established by the Iowa Association of School Boards.
Approved: August 12, 1985
Reviewed: Feb. 10, 1997
March 12, 2001
December 19, 2005
September 2008
January 20, 2014
CODE OF ETHICS OF THE BOARD
CODE OF ETHICS FOR BOARD MEMBERS
With the public school system accepted as the principal common agency for building and sustaining the American way of life, the Iowa Association of School Boards recommends this Code of Ethics to guide its members in providing free public education to all the children of all the people.
AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
1. I will listen.
2. I will respect the opinion of others.
3. I will recognize the integrity of my predecessors and associates and the merit of their work.
4. I will be motivated only by an earnest desire to serve my district and the children of my community in the best possible way.
5. I will not use the schools or any part of the school program for my own personal advantage or for the advantage of my friends or supporters.
6. I will vote for a closed session of the board if the situation requires it, but I will consider “star chamber” or “secret” sessions of board members unethical.
7. I will recognize that to promise in advance of a meeting how I will vote on any proposition which is to be considered, is to close my mind and agree not to think through other facts and points of view which may be presented in the meeting.
8. I will expect, in board meetings, to spend more time on educational programs and procedures than on business details.
9. I will recognize that authority rests with the board in legal session, and not with individual members of the board, except as authorized by law.
10. I will make no disparaging remarks, in or out of the board meeting, about other members of the board or their opinions.
11. I will express my honest and most thoughtful opinions frankly, in board meetings, in an effort to have all decisions made for the best interests of the children and the schools.
12. I will insist that all members of the board participate fully in board action, and recommend that when special committees are appointed, they serve only in an investigating and advisory capacity.
13. I will abide by majority decisions of the board.
14. I will carefully consider petitions, resolutions, and complaints, and will act upon them in the best interests of the schools.
15. I will not discuss the confidential business of the board in my home, on the street, or in my office; the place for such discussion being the school board meeting.
16. I will endeavor to keep informed on all local, state, and national educational developments of significance so that I may become a better school board member.
IN MEETING MY RESPONSIBILITY TO MY COMMUNITY
1. I will consider myself a trustee of public education and will do my best to protect it, conserve it, and advance it , giving to the children of my community the educational facilities that are as complete and adequate as it is possible to provide.
2. I will consider it an important responsibility of the board to interpret the aims, methods and attitude of the schools to the community.
3. I will earnestly try to interpret the needs and attitudes of the community and do my best to translate them into the educational program of the schools.
4. I will attempt to procure adequate financial support for the schools.
5. I will represent the entire district rather than individual electors, patrons, or groups.
6. I will not regard the schools as my own private property, but as the property of the people.
IN MY RELATIONSHIP WITH SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF
1. I will function, in meeting the legal responsibility that is mine, as a part of a legislative, policy-forming body, not as an administrative officer.
2. I will recognize that it is my responsibility, together with that of my fellow board members, to see that the schools are properly run - not to run them myself.
3. I will expect the schools to be administered by the best-trained technical and professional people it is possible to procure.
4. I will recognize the superintendent as executive officer of the board.
5. I will work through the administrative employees of the board, not over or around them.
6. I will expect the superintendent to keep the school board adequately informed through oral and written reports.
7. I will vote to employ personnel only after the recommendation of the superintendent has been received.
8. I will insist that contracts be equally binding on the teacher and the school board.
9. I will give the superintendent power commensurate with his responsibility and will not in any way interfere with, or seek to undermine his authority.
10. I will give the superintendent friendly counsel and advice.
11. I will present any personal criticism of employees to the superintendent.
12. I will refer complaints to the proper administrative officer.
TO COOPERATE WITH OTHER SCHOOL BOARDS
1. I will not help to employ a superintendent , principal, or teacher who is already under contract with another school without first securing assurance from the proper authority that the person can be released from contract.
2. I will consider it unethical to bid for the services of a teacher or pursue any procedure calculated to embarrass a neighboring board or superintendent.
3. I will not recommend a teacher for a position in another school unless I would employ said teacher under similar circumstances.
4. I will answer all inquiries about the standing and ability of a teacher to the best of my knowledge and judgment, with complete frankness, being careful not to over praise nor to be unduly critical.
5. I will associate myself with school board members of other districts both personally and in conferences, for the purpose of discussing school problems and cooperating in the improvement of public school conditions.
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
The president of the Board of Directors shall preside at all its meetings; sign warrants, drafts, and all orders drawn upon the treasurer as provided by law; sign all contracts made by the Board; and appear on behalf of this corporation in all actions brought by or against it, unless the president is one of the parties in such actions, in which case this duty shall be performed by the secretary of the Board.
The president is entitled to discuss and to vote on all matters before the Board. However, prior to making a motion or seconding a motion, the president shall pass the gavel to the vice president or another member of the Board.
The Board president shall consult with the superintendent on the development of each agenda for future meetings.
The vice president shall preside at all meetings during which the president is absent or during any meeting when the president passes the gavel to the vice president.
Adopted: August 12, 1985
Reviewed: Feb. 10, 1997
March 12, 2001
December 19, 2005
September 2008
January 20, 2014
VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
The vice-president shall serve in the absence of the president and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the president or the Board of Directors.
Adopted: August 12, 1985
Reviewed: Feb. 10, 1997
March 12, 2001
December 19, 2005
September 2008
January 20, 2014
SECRETARY OF THE BOARD
At a regular or special meeting of the Board held in August, prior to or on August 15, the Board shall appoint a secretary. The individual may not be a teacher employed by the Board but may be another employee of the district. The Board may appoint one person to serve as the secretary and treasurer. The term of appointment shall be for one year. He/she shall qualify within 10 days following appointment. The Board secretary shall give bond to the school corporation in the amount set by the Board. The secretary of the Board shall:
-- File and preserve copies of all reports made to the state and Area Education Agency superintendent and all papers transmitted to them pertaining to the business of the district.
-- Keep a complete record of all proceedings of the meetings of the Board.
-- Keep a record of all regular or special elections as directed by the County commissioner of Elections (auditor).
-- Keep a record of each fund deposited with the treasurer.
-- Keep an accurate account of all bills and present them to the Board for audit and approval for payment.
-- Make and file with the Board monthly financial statements, showing receipts, disbursements, and the remaining balance in each fund.
-- Countersign all warrants and drafts upon the county treasurer drawn and signed by the president.
-- Draw warrants for claims allowed by the Board, countersign and keep a record of them, showing fund upon which the warrant is drawn, the date, name of vendor purpose and the amount.
-- Report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, county auditor, and county treasurer, the names of the president, the secretary, and the treasurer of the Board of Directors as soon as practicable after each officer has qualified.
-- Request reports from private schools regarding the attendance of pupils between the ages of 7 and 16.
-- Prepare and publish the annual and quarterly financial statements for the district.
-- Mail itemized tuition statements on or before February 15 and June 15 of each year.
-- Call to the attention of the Board any pertinent legal requirements relating to matters for which the secretary is responsible.
-- Arrange for all Board of Directors elections with the County Commissioner of Elections (auditor).
-- Handle legal advertisements.
-- Countersign all interest-bearing school bonds issued by the district.
-- Perform such other duties as may from time to time be required by the Board of Directors, the superintendent, or the law.
If both the president and vice-president are absent, the secretary shall serve as temporary chairman for the purpose of selecting a president protempore.
Adopted: August 12, 1985
Reviewed: Feb.10, 1997
March 12, 2001
December 19, 2005
September 2008
January 20, 2014
TREASURER OF THE BOARD
At a regular or special meeting of the Board held in August (prior to or on August 15), the Board shall appoint a treasurer. Term of office shall be for one year. The treasurer shall qualify within 10 days following appointment. The Treasurer may be another employee of the district including the Board secretary. The Treasurer shall give bond to the school corporation in the amount set by the Board.
The treasurer of the Board shall:
-- Receive all moneys belonging to the school district and make payments only upon the order of the president countersigned by the secretary.
-- Receive warrants signed by the president and countersigned by the secretary of the Board.
-- Keep an accurate record of all receipts and expenditures of school funds.
-- Register all orders drawn and reported to him/her by the secretary showing the number, date, to whom drawn, fund upon which drawn, purpose, and amount.
-- Keep an accurate separate account for the General Fund, the Schoolhouse Fund, and the Special Courses Fund.
-- Render a financial statement whenever required by the Board and keep books open for inspection at all times.
-- Make an annual report to the Board at its regular August meeting and file a copy with the country treasurer, and Superintendent of Public Instruction.
-- Deposit school funds in the banks designated by the Board as the official depositories with any changes authorized by the Board.
-- Keep a record on bond buyers.
-- Furnish to the Board a sworn statement from each depository bank, showing balance as of June 30
-- Receive apportionment of school funds and monthly payment of taxes from the county treasurer.
-- Receive and disburse playground funds.
-- Keep a record of persons to whom interest-bearing school bonds are sold.
Approved: August 12, 1985
Reviewed: Feb. 10, 1997
March 12, 2001
December 19, 2005
September, 2008
January 20, 2014
INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS
Authority rests with the Board in legal session, and not with individual members of the Board, except as authorized by specific Board action or by statue. Each Board member shall meet his/her legal responsibilities as a trustee of public education.
Approved: August 12, 1985
Reviewed: Feb. 10, 1997
March 12, 2001
December 19, 2005
September 2008
January 20, 2014