BBF – Board Member Standards of Conduct

A Board member should:

1. Comply with the Code of Ethics for public officials provided in state law;
2. Understand that the Board sets the standards for the district through Board policy. Board members do not manage the ESD on a day-to-day basis;
3. Understand that the Board makes decisions as a team. Individual Board members may not commit the Board to any action;
4. Respect the right of other Board members to have opinions and ideas which differ;
5. Recognize that decisions are made by a majority vote and should be supported by all Board members;
6. Make decisions only after the facts are presented and discussed;
7. Understand the chain of command and refer problems or complaints to the proper administrative office;
8. Recognize that the Board must comply with the Public Meetings Law and only has authority to make decisions at official Board meetings;
9. Insist that all Board and district business is ethical and honest;
10. Be open, fair and honest — no hidden agendas;
11. Understand that you will receive information that is confidential and cannot be shared;
12. Recognize that the superintendent is the Board’s advisor and should be present at all meetings, except when the Board is considering the superintendent’s evaluation, contract or salary;
13. Take action only after hearing the superintendent’s recommendations;
14. Refuse to bring personal or family problems into Board considerations;
15. Give the staff the respect and consideration due skilled, professional employees;
16. Present personal criticism of district operations to the superintendent, not to district staff or to a Board meeting;
17. Respect the right of the public to attend and observe Board meetings;
18. Respect the right of the public to be informed about district decisions and ESD operations as provided by law;
19. Remember that content discussed in executive session is confidential;
20. Use social media Web sites judiciously in a manner that does not violate Oregon’s Public Meetings Laws;
21. When using social media Web sites, Board members will treat and refer to other Board members, staff, students and the public with respect;
22. Never post confidential information about students, staff or district business on any Web sites.

END OF POLICY

Legal Reference(s):

• ORS 162.015 - 162.035
• ORS 162.405 - 162.425
• ORS 192.630
• ORS 244.040
• ORS 244.120
• ORS 334.095
• ORS 334.100

Cross Reference(s):

• BBFA - Board Member Ethics and Conflicts of Interest