AUGUST 2014 HCISD Human Services Department

AUGUST 2014 HCISD Human Services Department

The Texas educator shall comply with standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community and shall safeguard academic freedom. The Texas educator, in maintaining the dignity of the profession, shall respect and obey the law, demonstrate personal integrity, and exemplify honesty. The Texas educator, in exemplifying ethical relations with colleagues, shall extend just and equitable treatment to all members of the profession. The Texas educator, in accepting a position of public trust, shall measure success by the progress of each student toward realization of his or her potential as an effective citizen. The Texas educator, in fulfilling responsibilities in the community, shall cooperate with parents and others to improve the public schools of the community. DH(LOCAL)

 An employee shall not form romantic or other inappropriate social relationships with students. Any sexual relationship between a student and a District employee is always prohibited, even if consensual. [See FFH]

 An employee shall not use tobacco products on District premises, in District vehicles, or at school or school-related activities. [See also GKA]

An employee shall not manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, use, or be under the influence of any of the following substances during working hours while at school or at school-related activities during or outside of usual working hours: 1. Any controlled substance or dangerous drug as defined by law, including but not limited to marijuana, any narcotic drug, hallucinogen, stimulant, depressant, amphetamine, or barbiturate. 2. Alcohol or any alcoholic beverage. 3. Any abuseable glue, aerosol paint, or any other chemical substance for inhalation. 4. Any other intoxicant, or mood-changing, mind-altering, or behavior-altering drug. An employee need not be legally intoxicated to be considered “under the influence” of a controlled substance. See DH LOCAL

 The dress and grooming of a District employee shall be clean, neat, in a manner appropriate for his or her assignment, and in accordance with the following standards:  An employee shall be are expected to dress in a manner that projects a professional image for the employee, District, and community.  Style of clothing for males and females shall always reflect a professional and business-like atmosphere. Dresses, slacks, skirts, and blouses for females should not attract unfavorable attention. Males shall be expected to wear slacks, shirts, or appropriate professional attire.  Administrators and supervisors shall have the discretion to determine appropriateness of attire for all personnel in certain grades or subjects (physical education, agriculture, auto mechanics, building trades, special education), or for medical necessities. [See also DH]

The following standards shall apply:  Cleanliness and neatness are expected of all staff at all times.  Halters, garments with bare shoulders, bare backs, tank tops, spaghetti straps, muscle shirts, see-through garments, and revealing or provocative necklines shall not be permitted. In addition, clothing with symbols, inappropriate language, phrases or slogans advertising tobacco, alcohol products, controlled substances or political advertisements is unacceptable.  Blue denim jeans or blue denim capri pants shall not be worn on days when students are in regular attendance except for special emphasis days with the approval of the principal. When denim clothing is designated, it shall be clean and neat with no holes, extreme fading, or worn look. See DH LOCAL

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 An employee shall notify his or her principal or immediate supervisor within three calendar days of any arrest, indictment, conviction, no contest or guilty plea, or other adjudication of the employee for any felony, any offense involving moral turpitude, and any of the other offenses as indicated below:  Crimes involving school property or funds;  Crimes involving attempt by fraudulent or unauthorized means to obtain or alter any certificate or permit that would entitle any person to hold or obtain a position as an educator; See DH LOCAL

 Crimes that occur wholly or in part on school property or at a school-sponsored activity; or  Crimes involving moral turpitude, which include:  Dishonesty; fraud; deceit; theft; misrepresentation;  Deliberate violence;  Base, vile, or depraved acts that are intended to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of the actor;

 Felony possession or conspiracy to possess, or any misdemeanor or felony, transfer, sale, distribution, or conspiracy to transfer, sell, or distribute any controlled substance defined in Chapter 481 of the Health and Safety Code;  Felony driving while intoxicated (DWI) or; Acts constituting public intoxication, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, or disorderly conduct, if any two or more acts are committed within any 12-month period;  Acts constituting abuse or neglect under the Texas Family Code. See DH LOCAL

SBEC may take disciplinary action against a certified educator (employee) for the following reasons: 1. An educator (employee) has conducted school or education activities in violation of law; 2. An educator (employee) is unworthy to instruct or supervise the youth of the state; 3. An educator (employee) has violated the Code of Ethics; 4. An educator (employee) has failed to report or has hindered the reporting of child abuse or the known criminal history of an educator as required by law and Board rules; 5. An educator (employee) has abandoned his or her contract; 6. An educator (employee) has failed to cooperate with a Board investigation; 7. An educator (employee) has been convicted of a crime directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the education profession, or 8. An educator (employee)has violated the security or integrity of a state assessment. The above list is not exclusive. SBEC may take disciplinary action against an educator on other grounds or measures available by law. What kinds of behavior can lead to disciplinary action by SBEC?SBEC

1. Any crime involving moral turpitude; 2. Any crime involving sexual or physical abuse of a minor or student or other illegal conduct with a minor or student; 3. Any crime for which the underlying facts would support a felony conviction for possession, transfer, sale, distribution, or conspiracy to possess, transfer, sell, or distribute any controlled substance; 3. Any crime involving school property or funds; 4. Any crime involving an attempt by fraudulent or unauthorized means to obtain or alter any certificate or permit that would entitle a person to hold or obtain a position as an educator; 5. Any crime that occurs wholly or in part on school property or at a school- sponsored activity; or 7. Felonies involving driving while intoxicated. DH (LOCAL) What kinds of crimes does SBEC consider to be directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the education profession?

 No, SBEC can investigate and discipline anyone who holds a certificate issued under Chapter 21, Subchapter B of the Texas Education Code. This includes teachers, librarians, counselors, educational diagnosticians, administrators and paraprofessionals.  HCISD will investigate and discipline any employee who violates state or federal law or board policy.

HCISD Human Resources Department