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1. Familiarize himself/herself with local law, state school laws, any pertinent regulations of the State Department of Educational and Cultural Services, district policies, and rules and regulations.

2. Improve knowledge by taking advantage of seminars and training opportunities whenever possible.

3. Have a general knowledge of educational aims and objectives presented by the District.

4. Work as harmoniously as possible with other Board members without trying to dominate the Board or neglect an equal share of duties.

6. Accept and then support the will of the majority. (Any discussion against the vote of the majority must be preceded by a written minority report presented at a subsequent meeting.)

7. Represent the Board and the schools to the public in such a way as to promote interest and support.

8. Abstain from individual action on those matters rightfully the province of the Board.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ CODE OF ETHICS

Having accepted the challenge of service on the Board of Directors, each member accepts the principles set forth in the following code of ethics to guide him/her in helping to provide free public education to all the children of M.S.A.D. No. 71.

Each Board member will:

1....view service on the Board of School Directors 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.

2....at all times think of children first and base his/her decisions on how they will affect the child, his/her education and training.

3....make no disparaging remarks, in or out of the Board meetings, about other members of the Board or their opinions.

4....remember at all times that as an individual he/she has no legal authority outside the meetings of the Board, and will conduct his/her relationships with the school staff, the local citizenry, and all media of communications on the basis of this fact.

5....recognize that his/her responsibility is not to operate the schools, but to see that they are well operated.

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

7....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.

8....support graciously a decision, once it has been made by a majority of the Board.

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

10....make decisions only after all facts bearing on a question have been presented and discussed.

11....refuse to make promises as to how he/she will vote on a matter which should properly come before the Board as a whole.

12....not discuss the confidential business of the Board in his/her home, on the street, or in his/her office, the place for such discussion being the School Board meetings.

13....confine his/her Board action to policy making, planning or appraisal, leaving the administration of the schools to the school Superintendent.

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

15....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.

16....resist every temptation and outside pressure to use his/her position as a School Board member to benefit himself/herself or any other individual or agency apart from the total interest of the school district.

17....recognize at all times that the school committee of which he/she is a member is an agent of the State and as such will abide by the laws of the State and regulations which are formulated by the State Board of Education which is the body responsible for educational policies as determined by legislative acts.

18....attempt to attend all meetings of the Board; and, if it should become necessary to miss more than three (3) consecutive regular meetings of the Board, or twenty-five (25) percent of all meetings within any six (6) month period, will meet with the Chairperson of the Board and explain the nature of the reason for absence.