As a member of my local Board of Trustees, representing all the citizens of my school district, I recognize:

1. That my fellow citizens have entrusted me with the educational development of the children and youth of this community.
   
   

2. That the public expects my first and greatest concern to be in the best interest of each and every one of these young people without distinction as to whom they are or what their background may be.
   
   

3. That the future welfare of this community, of this state, and of the nation depends in the largest measure upon the quality of education we provide in the public schools to fit the needs of every learner.
   
   

4. That my fellow board members and I must take the initiative in helping all the people of this community to have all the facts all the time about their schools, to the end that they will readily provide the finest possible school program, school staff and school facilities.
   
   

5. That legally, the authority of the Board is derived from the State which ultimately controls the organization and operation of the school district and which determines the degree of discretionary power left with the Board and the people of this community for the exercise of local autonomy.
   
   

That I must never neglect my personal obligation to the community and my legal obligation to the State, nor surrender these responsibilities to any other person, group, or organization; but that, beyond these, I have a moral and civic obligation to the nation which can remain strong and free only so long as public schools in the United States of America are kept free and strong.

As a member of my local board of education, I will strive to improve public education, and to that end I will:

• Attend all regularly scheduled board meetings insofar as possible, and become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings;

• Recognize that I should endeavor to make policy decisions only after full discussion at publicly held board meetings;

• Render all decisions based on the available facts and my independent judgment, and refuse to surrender that judgment to individuals or special interest groups;

• Encourage the free expression of opinion by all board members, and seek systematic communications between the board and students, staff, and all elements of the community;

• Work with other board members to establish effective board policies and to delegate authority for the administration of the schools to the superintendent;

• Communicate to other board members and the superintendent expressions of public reaction to board policies and school programs;

• Inform myself about current educational issues by individual study and through participation in programs providing needed information, such as those sponsored by my state and national school boards associations;

• Support the employment of those persons best qualified to serve as school staff, and insist on a regular and impartial evaluation of all staff;

• Avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest, and refrain from using my board position for personal or partisan gain;

• Take no private action that will compromise the board or administration, and respect the confidentiality of information that is privileged under applicable law; and

• Remember always that my first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of the students attending the public schools.

ADOPTED:    07/13/1976

REVISED:    04/12/2005

                11/08/2005