School Board Ethics 2012

The Chik-Fil-A Problem A middle school PTA pre-ordered Chik-Fil-A for back-to-school night. You had to sign up if you wanted some. Now parents, especially rising sixth-graders’ parents, not yet part of PTA, wonder if this endorses bullying gays. Also our cafeteria has some supplies from Chik-Fil-A; we do not have contracts with that company.

What should we do?

OSSBA Code of Ethics Item 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. Item 3. Respect and obey the laws of Oklahoma and the United States, working to bring about desired changes through policies adopted by the board of education and through legal and ethical procedures.

Hiring my friend (or not hiring my friend) My friend was up for a job for which she was highly qualified. I had introduced her to one of the interview team long ago. He was very nice to her, drawing out her fine qualities. The team hired someone else. Should I have done more? Should I have done less?

Code of Ethics on this? Item 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.

Noooorman, oh, oh, oh, oooooh… Suddenly a couple of summers ago our cheerleaders showed up on a car commercial on TV singing this song in their clearly labeled uniforms. Is this OK?

There’s nothing in the Code of Ethics, but is this fair to other car dealers?

Grad Student Encounter “I never met a school board member who didn’t have an agenda.” Me: “I never met one who did.”

OSSBA Code of Ethics Item 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. Item 12. Refrain from using my board position for personal or partisan gain.

We are doing this now! Item 2. Strive to improve boardsmanship by studying educational issues and participating in board training opportunities.

The Girl Who Said “H***” Administrators decided not to give a diploma to a girl who did, but there is no clear policy. What should a school board member do?

OSSBA Code of Ethics Item 9. Encourage the free expression of opinion by all board members and staff, seeking systematic communications between board members and the public inside and outside the school district. Item 11. Recognize and reward excellence in student achievement, teacher performance, and administrative leadership.

NSBA in Boston 2012

NSBA Code of Ethics signed at each meeting! Four items OSSBA lacks: I will render all decisions based on the available facts and my independent judgment, and refuse to surrender that judgment to individuals or special interest groups.

AND I will communicate to other board members and the superintendent expression of public reaction to board policies and school programs.

AND I will avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest.

AND I will support the employment of those persons best qualified to serve as school staff, and insist on a regular and impartial evaluation of all staff.

OSSBA History Our code was last revised in NSBA’s is from the early 1979, reviewed in Do we need an update?

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A Research-based Note!

Scientific American Mind Sept/Oct 2012 p. 6 “Recalling childhood memories can lead people to behave more ethically…These recollections seem to summon a heightened sense of moral purity….Possible applications might include posting subway signs encouraging people to remember what it was like to be a kid or decorating workplaces with stuffed animals.”

FOR SCHOOL BOARDS: Making sure school board meetings are attended by at least a few kids, maybe getting awards and recognitions. Failing that, bring Teddy Bears!

Are there general ethics rules? Philosophers compile clichés, most of them true. But applying them to particular cases is the problem for actual people.

Thanks for your attention, and let’s continue the discussion: