Transcript Schoolboard Ethics

Schoolboard Ethics
2011
From School Board Member Code of
Ethics
• Translated into Kindergarten slogans.
• As in, COLOR WITHIN THE LINES, BUT USE ANY
COLOR YOU LIKE.
Case 1
• Our board meetings are not televised, but a
recently elected member likes to give
speeches. Sometimes they are very well
crafted, and they go on for tens of minutes.
There is a reporter present until the reporter
rushes off after 8:30 to meet her deadline.
The speeches stop when she leaves. Later I
saw signs in yards for this guy for State
Senator. What should I do?
Kindergarten Slogan: NOT ME FIRST
• 12. Refrain from using my board position for
personal or partisan gain.
• Case: The guy who wanted to be Senator.
Case 2
• School board member Jones knows Mrs. Smith is
a terrible teacher; his kid has suffered with her
already for a semester, and Jones has heard
nothing but complaints from the kid, as well as
from some other parents. Too hard, too
disorganized, too demanding. Jones has spoken
with her frequently about how bad she is. At the
beginning of the next semester he starts going to
her third period class, just sitting there taking
notes. What should I do?
Kindergarten Slogan: HANDS OFF OUR
PUBLIC FACE!
• 5. Recognize that I, as an individual board
member, have no legal authority outside the
meeting of the board and will take no private
action that will compromise the board or
administration.
• Case: Checking up on a bad teacher.
Case 3
• Our new member already has a blog where
she comments on community happenings.
Now she’s talking about school board issues.
She isn’t divulging executive session stuff, but
she does talk about the superintendent’s
clothes. What do I do?
Kindergarten Slogan: DON’T GOSSIP
• Again: Number 5, The private action might
compromise the board or administration
• To blog or not to blog.
Case 4
• Mr. Stark has just been elected by a wide
margin. A former jock at our high school, he
was critical of our long-time football coach. At
the first meeting, under Board of Education
Report, where we can talk about what we’ve
been doing, he launched into an attack on the
coach, lobbying the rest of us to get rid of him
at the earliest opportunity. It is, of course,
February, not football season. What should I
do?
MAKE POLICY, NOT TROUBLE
• 4. Formulate legislative goals, policies, and
strategic plans for the district, delegating to
administrators the administrative functions of
the schools.
• Case: New football coach, please!
Case 5
• Ms. Ville has been in several executive
sessions about a lawsuit, but this time we’re
considering buying some land we understand
is available for a new much-needed
elementary school. We come out of executive
session with no vote to be taken. Later that
week it’s all over town that we want that land.
What should I do?
DON’T BLAB
• 8. Respect the confidentiality of privileged
information and refrain from disclosing
information that may be injurious to
individuals or the schools.
• Case: Let’s buy some land, where?
Case 6
• A small district with declining enrollment
contracts with a big company to set up an
online school which is supposed to attract
students from across the state. We will get
money at small cost to our brick and mortar
operations. What should I do?
KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF
• 6. Refrain from board actions locally that
would substantially interfere with or injure the
program of education elsewhere.
• Case: The virtual school?
• Case: The big districts versus the small
Case 7
• Peters has listened to the discussion and has
studied her board materials, is punctual and
pleasant. She does not join in during
discussions, even on board retreats. But when
anything comes up for a vote, she always
votes no. When we ask why, she refuses to
explain. What do I do?
Kindergarten Slogan: LET’S PLAY
TOGETHER
• 10. Be committed to promoting a cooperative
atmosphere in order for the board to
effectively serve the students.
• Case: Being a board member meant never
having to say you’re sorry (or explain that you
are).
Case 8
• Pitzer comes to a board meeting very excited
because the company he works for has just
decided to make a contribution to our small,
struggling district. Pitzer and his boss want to
have the money used to install smart boards
and the latest technology in the one
elementary that has met its Adequate Yearly
Progress goals and has more educated and
involved parents, not the other one, that
hasn’t. What do I do?
Slogan: The Biggie: WE TAKE TURNS,
AND WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
• 1. Remember always that my first and greatest
concern must be the educational welfare of all
students attending school in our district, and
ensuring that they have the opportunity to
reach their highest potential.
• Case: Smart boards for the schools with the
most educated parents?
AND ALSO:
“Former member is back on Spavinaw
Board” Friday May 27, 2011 Tulsa
World
• Removed for not having continuing education
credits, he was reappointed; considered a new
member, he can get his 12 hours of instruction
within 15 months.
• Julie Miller: “It’s perfectly legal. It just might
not pass the smell test with the community.”
Greensboro, GA, Confederate
Memorial
New Orleans Public Schools
John McDonogh
• Eccentric shipping millionaire, 1779-1850, left
$2 million for public schools in New Orleans
and Baltimore
• New Orleans did not have a public school
system, so he posthumously started it,
explicitly for poor white and poor free black
students.
Mark Twain, 1835-1910
• Always do right. This will gratify some and
astonish the rest.
• Thanks for your attention, and your concern!