Descriptor Code: BA
School Board Ethics
School board members are to be:
1. Champions of the public schools.
2. Committed to high quality education for every student.
3. Honest and sincere, having the courage of their convictions.
4. Willing and capable of assuming board responsibilities.
5. Able to work cooperatively with others.
6. Non-partisan in dealing with all school matters, because the Board does not wish in any way to subordinate the education of children and youth to any partisan principle, group interest, or personal ambition.
7. Willing to maintain confidentiality of privileged information.
8. Aware that the strength of the Board is as a board, not as individuals. (Individual board members have no authority or power to act on behalf of the Board; therefore, a board member should never make out-of- meeting commitments.)
9. Informed concerning state and federal laws and regulations concerning education.
10. Faithful in attendance at board meetings and diligent in preparation and study to become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings.
11. Willing to conduct school business in an open meeting when required to do so by law, even when the subject is controversial or personal.
12. Cognizant that the primary function of the Board is to establish the policies by which the schools are to be administered, but that the administration of the educational program and the conduct of school business must be left to the Superintendent.
13. Eager to learn from association with other school board members around the state and nation, and open to personal development through reading publications of the National School Boards Association and the North Dakota School Boards Association and attending seminars and conventions of these and similar organizations.
14. Aware that it is as important for the Board to understand and support the administration of the educational program of the schools as it is to plan for the business of school operation.
15. Vigilant against even the appearance of conflict of interest; (Board members should become familiar with the laws governing contracts and purchases as they relate to board members, and carefully avoid any violation.)
Adopted: February 2017
School Board Ethics
School board members are to be:
1. Champions of the public schools.
2. Committed to high quality education for every student.
3. Honest and sincere, having the courage of their convictions.
4. Willing and capable of assuming board responsibilities.
5. Able to work cooperatively with others.
6. Non-partisan in dealing with all school matters, because the Board does not wish in any way to subordinate the education of children and youth to any partisan principle, group interest, or personal ambition.
7. Willing to maintain confidentiality of privileged information.
8. Aware that the strength of the Board is as a board, not as individuals. (Individual board members have no authority or power to act on behalf of the Board; therefore, a board member should never make out-of- meeting commitments.)
9. Informed concerning state and federal laws and regulations concerning education.
10. Faithful in attendance at board meetings and diligent in preparation and study to become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings.
11. Willing to conduct school business in an open meeting when required to do so by law, even when the subject is controversial or personal.
12. Cognizant that the primary function of the Board is to establish the policies by which the schools are to be administered, but that the administration of the educational program and the conduct of school business must be left to the Superintendent.
13. Eager to learn from association with other school board members around the state and nation, and open to personal development through reading publications of the National School Boards Association and the North Dakota School Boards Association and attending seminars and conventions of these and similar organizations.
14. Aware that it is as important for the Board to understand and support the administration of the educational program of the schools as it is to plan for the business of school operation.
15. Vigilant against even the appearance of conflict of interest; (Board members should become familiar with the laws governing contracts and purchases as they relate to board members, and carefully avoid any violation.)
Adopted: February 2017