Policy CB: Ethics

BOARD POLICY
Descriptive Code: CB

ETHICS
Date: JANUARY 4, 1999

Preamble

Public education in America rests on firm commitments to the dignity and worth of each individual to the preeminence of enlightenment and reason over force and coercion; and to government by the consent of the governed. Public schools prosper to the extent they merit the confidence of the people. In judging its schools, society is influenced to a considerable degree by the character and quality of their administration. To meet these challenges school administrators have an obligation to exercise professional leadership.

Society demands that any group which claims the rights, privileges, and status of a profession prove itself worthy through the establishment and maintenance of ethical policies governing the activities of its members. A professional society must demonstrate the capacity and willingness to regulate itself and to set appropriate guides for the ethical conduct of its members. Such obligations are met largely by practitioners through action in a professional society such as the American Association of School Administrators.

Every member of a profession carries a responsibility to act in a manner becoming a professional person. This implies that each school administrator has an inescapable obligation to abide by the ethical standards of the profession. The behavior of each is the concern of all. The conduct of any administrator influences the attitude of the public toward the profession and education in general.

These statements of ethical behavior are designed to inspire a quality of behavior that reflects honor and dignity on the profession of school administration. They are not intended as inflexible rules nor unchangeable laws. They serve to measure the propriety of administrators' behavior in working relationships. They encourage and emphasize those positive attributes of professional conduct, which characterize strong and effective administrative leadership.

1. The professional school administrator constantly upholds the honor and dignity of the profession in all actions and relations with pupils, colleagues, school board members, and the public.

2. The professional school administrator obeys local, state, and national laws; holds to high ethical and moral standards, and gives loyalty to country and to the cause of democracy and liberty.

3. The professional school administrator accepts the responsibility to master and to contribute to the growing body of specialized knowledge, concepts, and skills which characterize school administration as a profession.

4. The professional school administrator strives to provide the finest possible educational experiences and opportunities to all persons in the district.

5. The professional school administrator applying for a position or entering into contractual agreements seeks to preserve and enhance the prestige and status of the profession.

6. The professional school administrator carries out in good faith all policies duly adopted by the local board and the regulations of state authorities and renders professional service to the best of one's ability.

7. The professional school administrator honors the public trust of the position above any economic or social rewards.

8. The professional school administrator does not permit considerations of private gain nor personal economic interest to affect the discharge of the professional responsibilities.

9. The professional school administrator recognizes that the public schools are the public's business and seeks to keep the public fully and honestly informed about their schools.

Overview

High standards of ethical behavior for professional school administrators are essential and are compatible with their faith in the power of public education and their commitment to leadership in the preservation and strengthening of the public schools. The true sense of high calling comes to the school administrator as he/she faces squarely such widely held beliefs as the following:

1. Makes the well-being of students the fundamental value of all decision-making and actions.

2. Fulfills professional responsibilities with honesty and integrity.

3. Supports the principle of due process and protects the civil and human rights of all individuals.

4. Obeys local, state and national laws and does not knowingly join or support organizations that advocate, directly or indirectly, the overthrow of the government.

5. Implements the governing board of education's policies and administrative rules and regulations.

6. Pursues appropriate measures to correct those laws, policies and regulations that are not consistent with sound educational goals.

7. Avoids using positions for personal gain through political, social, religious, economic or other influences.

8. Accepts academic degrees or professional certification only from duly accredited institutions.

9. Maintains the standards and seeks to improve the effectiveness of the profession through research and continuing professional development.

10.Honors all contracts until fulfillment, release or dissolution mutually agreed upon by all parties to the contract.

Code of Ethics, American Association of School Administrator

ADOPTED: 8/16/88

Newton County Board of Education