BCA-School Committee Member Code of Ethics

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER CODE OF ETHICS

Having accepted the challenge of service on the Acton School Committee, each committee member accepts the principles set forth in the following code of ethics to guide in helping to provide free public education to all children within the Acton School Department. 

Each member will do the following:


  1. view service on the School Committee as an opportunity to serve the public, state, and nation because of a belief in public education as the best means to promote the welfare of our people and to prepare our democratic way of life.


  1. at all times think of children first and base decisions on how they will affect children, their education, and their training.


  1. make no disparaging remarks, in or out of School Committee meetings, about other members of the Committee or their opinions.


  1. remember at all times that he or she has no legal authority outside the meetings of School Committee, and will conduct interactions with the school staff, the local citizenry, and all media of communications on the basis of this fact.


  1. recognize that his or her responsibility is not to operate the schools but to see that they are well operated.


  1. seek to provide education for all children in the community commensurate with their needs and abilities.


  1. listen to all citizens but will refer all complaints to the proper authorities, and will discuss such complaints only at a regular meeting after failure of administrative solution.


  1. support all decisions made by the majority of the School Committee graciously.


  1. not criticize employees publicly, but will make such criticism to the Superintendent for investigation and action, if necessary.


  1. make decisions openly after all facts bearing on a question have been presented and discussed


  1. refuse to make promises as to how to vote on a matter that should properly come before the School Committee as a whole.




  1. not discuss the confidential business of the School Committee at home, on the street, or in the office - the place for such discussion being School Committee meetings and workshops.


  1. confine Committee actions to policy making, planning, and appraisal, leaving the administration of the schools to the Superintendent.


  1. welcome and encourage cooperation and participation by teachers, administrators, students and other personnel in developing policies that affect their welfare and that of the children they serve.


  1. 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.


  1. resist every temptation and outside pressure to use the position as a School Committee member to benefit oneself or any individual or agency apart from the total interest of the school unit.


  1. endeavor to attend every regular and special Committee meeting and recognize that participation is an opportunity to represent the Acton School community. If participation is not possible for an extended length of time, the committee member will give consideration to resigning from his or her position on the School Committee.


  1. recognize at all times that School committee members are agents of the state, and as such, must abide by the laws of the state and the regulations formulated by the Maine Department of Education and by the State Board of Education.

Adopted:   December 8, 2009

Reviewed:  January 9, 2018