The members of the board of education recognize that they hold authority not as individuals but as members of the board. In order to make a clear public statement of its philosophy of service to the pupils of the district, the board adopts this code of ethics.

A. I will uphold and enforce all laws, state board rules and regulations, and court orders pertaining to schools. Desired changes should be brought about only through legal and ethical procedures.

B. I will make decisions in terms of the educational welfare of children and will seek to develop and maintain public schools which meet the individual needs of all children regardless of their ability, race, creed, sex or social standing.

C. I will confine my board action to policymaking, planning and appraisal and I will help to frame policies and plans only after the board has consulted those who will be affected by them.

D. I will behave toward my fellow board members with the respect due their office demonstrating courtesy, decorum and fair play at all public meetings and in all public statements.

E. I will refrain from inappropriate conduct in public meetings and in making public statements, refraining from any disparagement of my fellow board members or others on a personal, social, racial or religious basis.

F. I will carry out my responsibility, not to administer the schools, but, together with my fellow board members, to see that they are well run.

G. I will recognize that authority rests with the board of education and will make no personal promises nor take any private action which may compromise the board.

H. I will refuse to surrender my independent judgment to special interest or partisan political groups or to use the schools for personal gain or for the gain of friends.

I. I will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools which, if disclosed, would needlessly injure individuals or the schools. But in all other matters, I will provide accurate information and, in concert with my fellow board members, interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community for its schools.

J. I will vote to appoint the best qualified personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of the chief school administrator.

K. I will support and protect school personnel in proper performance of their duties.

L. I will refer all complaints to the chief school administrator and will act on such complaints at public meetings only after failure of an administrative solution.

The board shall see that all members of the board receive training in understanding and adhering to this code of ethics and shall discuss it annually at a regularly scheduled public meeting. Each member shall sign documentation that he/she has received a copy of it and has read and understood it.

Adopted: January 19, 2005
NJSBA Review/Update: January 2009, November 2017
Readopted: January 21, 2009
Reviewed:

Key Words

Conflict of Interest, Code of Ethics, Board Member Conflict of Interest, Board Member Ethics, Ethics

Legal References: N.J.S.A. 18A:11 1 General mandatory powers and duties
N.J.S.A. 18A:12 2 Inconsistent interests or office prohibited
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-21 et seq. School Ethics Act See particularly:
N.J.S.A. 18A:12-24, -24.1
N.J.S.A. 18A:54 20 Powers of board (county vocational schools)
N.J.A.C. 6A:4-1.1 et seq. Appeals
N.J.A.C. 6A:28-1.1 et seq. School Ethics Commission
N.J.A.C. 6A:32-3.2 Requirements for the Code of Ethics for school board members and charter school board of trustee members Possible
Cross References: *4112.8 Nepotism
*4212.8 Nepotism
*9270 Conflict of interest

*Indicates policy is included in the Critical Policy Reference Manual.