Policy 202.01
Board Members Code of Ethics
As a member of the Elkhorn Public Schools Board of Education, representing all the citizens of the district, I will strive to provide effective board service and to that end I will:
A. Remember always that my first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of the students attending the Elkhorn Public Schools without distinction as to who they are or what their background may be.
B. Welcome and encourage the free expression of opinion by all board members as well as systematic communications between the board and students, staff and all elements of the community.
C. Bear in mind under all circumstances that the primary function of a board member is to work with other board members and affected groups to establish the policies, the budget priorities, the fiscal restraints, and the long range plans by which the schools are to be administered; but that the administration of the educational program and the conduct of school business shall be left to the employed superintendent of schools and the professional and support staff.
D. Make decisions only after full discussion of issues at publicly held board meetings.
E. Render all decisions based on the available facts and my independent judgment; refuse to surrender that judgment to individuals or special interest groups; respect the confidentiality of information that is privileged under applicable law; and once a decision is made by the Board, to abide by and uphold that decision.
F. Communicate to other board members and the superintendent expressions of public reaction to board policies and school programs.
G. Insist on a regular and impartial appraisal of all staff.
H. Remember at all times that as an individual I have no legal authority outside the meetings of the Board, and to conduct my communications with the school staff, students, parents, community members and all media on the basis of this fact.
I. Inform myself about current educational issues by individual study and through participation in programs providing needed information, such as those sponsored by the state and national school boards association.
J. Attend all regularly scheduled board meetings insofar as possible and become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings.
K. Seek, in a spirit of teamwork with board members and affected groups, improvements to public education, ever aware of the important role of public education in the preservation and perpetuation of our representative democracy.
Legal Reference:
Neb. Statute 79-526
Cross Reference:
201.1 Board Powers and Responsibilities
202.2 Board Member Conflict of Interest
Adopted: February 12, 1996
Revised: February 14, 2005