Monday, May 16, 2011

Code of Ethics for All NJ Board of Education Members


The School Ethics Act requires all school board members
to abide by the following Code of Ethics:

a. I will uphold and enforce all laws, rules and regulations of the
    State Board of Education and court orders pertaining to schools.
    Desired changes shall 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
    that 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 policy making, 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 carry out my responsibility, not to administer the schools,
    but together with my fellow board members, to see that they
    are well run.

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

f. 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.

g. I will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools
    which, if disclosed, would needlessly injure individuals or the
    schools. 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.

h. I will vote to appoint the best-qualified personnel available after
   consideration of the recommendation of the chief administrative
   officer.

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

j. I will refer all complaints to the chief administrative officer and
   will act on the complaints at public meetings only after failure
   of an administrative solution.

As Parent advocates and Community Members we must hold each School Board Member accountable or to his/her OATH. The New Jersey Constitution promises and assures us that our children will be provided with a thorough and efficient education. Each board member is required to attend training that prepares him/her to serve on the school board. Perhaps it is time we encourage them to go above the requirement and aspire to higher heights. Does that sound familiar? It has been suggested that we compete with surrounding Towns that have higher test scores. I suggest that we compete with ourselves to be the best that we can be. Towns that we seek to best have board members who are very active in the New Jersey School Board Association.


Certificated Board Member (CBM) - the requirement
Master Board Member (MBM) - the second level of certification
Certified Board Leader (CBL) - the highest level of individual certification

Recipient boards must demonstrate an emphasis on Student Achievement in their board actions.
Board Certification (BC)
Board Recertification (BR)
Carole E. Larsen Master Board Certification (MBC)


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