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)