Ethics for Administrative Professionals (or How to Stay in Your Lane and Help Others Stay in Theirs ) Chris Thomas, ASBA General Counsel/Director of

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1 Ethics for Administrative Professionals (or How to Stay in Your Lane and Help Others Stay in Theirs ) Chris Thomas, ASBA General Counsel/Director of Legal & Policy Services

2 You Have a Critical -- and Sometimes Difficult -- Job to Do Let s Talk About Some Ethical Parameters That Can Help You Do It

3 Ethical Parameters for Superintendents 1. Makes the education and well-being of students the fundamental value of all decision making. 2. Fulfills all professional duties with honesty and integrity and always acts in a trustworthy and responsible manner. 3. Supports the principle of due process and protects the civil and human rights of all individuals. 4. Implements local, state and national laws. 5. Advises the school board and implements the board'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 or that are not in the best interest of children.

4 Ethical Parameters for Superintendents 7. Avoids using his/her position for personal gain through political, social, religious, economic or other influences. 8. Accepts academic degrees or professional certification only from 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. 11. Accepts responsibility and accountability for one s own actions and behaviors. 12. Commits to serving others above self.

5 Ethical Parameters for Board Members As a member of my local Board of Education I will strive to improve public education, and to that end I will

6 Ethical Parameters for Board Members Attend all regularly scheduled Board meetings insofar as possible, and become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings; Recognize that a board member 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

7 Ethical Parameters for Board Members 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 expression of public reaction to Board policies and school programs;

8 Ethical Parameters for Board Members Inform oneself 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 association; Support the employment of those persons best qualified to serve as school staff, and insist on a regular and impartial evaluation of staff

9 Ethical Parameters for Board Members 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

10 Ethical Parameters for Board Members Remember ALWAYS that my first and greatest concern MUST be the educational welfare of the students attending the public schools.

11 Code of Ethics for Administrative Professionals (Tennessee Association of Board Secretaries)

12 Code of Ethics for Administrative Professionals To perform the responsibilities of a board/ executive secretary for the school system uninfluenced by special interest groups or partisan politics. To respect the decisions of the local Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools. To recognize that authority rests only with the Board of Education in official meetings and that the individual board member has no legal status outside of such meetings.

13 Code of Ethics for Administrative Professionals To be responsible for the accurate timely completion of required tasks. To avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest and refrain from using the position of board/executive secretary with the school system for personal or partisan gain. To implement the responsibilities of board/ executive secretary in the most competent professional manner possible.

14 Code of Ethics for Administrative Professionals To strive to maintain and enhance the dignity, status and standards of the local school system, TSBA, and TABS. To promote open communications between the school system administration, Board of Education, and the community as a whole. To uphold the rules of confidentiality in certain matters relative to the position of board/executive secretary.

15 Code of Ethics for Administrative Professionals To serve as a trusted agent in professional relations with other members of the education team. To participate in individual study and special programs or events that increase personal knowledge of current educational issues, rules, regulations, and statutes. To commit to elevate the standards of the profession.

16 Let s Talk About Some Common Scenarios That Challenge These Concepts