Policy 9005

Bylaws of the Board

Statement of Integrity

The long term health of a representative democracy requires that citizenship and leadership act upon what is right, rather than what is popular. As Board of Education members, our goal is to improve the education of our children and to advocate for them and their best interests. Board members must be working effectively together and with others in the community to successfully reach this goal. A Board of Education that operates with integrity will be a more effective Board. Integrity is first, discerning what is right and what is wrong, second, acting upon what you have discerned even at personal cost; and third, saying openly that you are acting on your understanding of right from wrong. It requires that students, colleagues, constituents, and others in the community be considered in every decision. A Board of Education with a sense of integrity will consider what is right, and what is wrong. This takes discipline and an awareness of one's environment.

To this end, as a Board of Education with integrity, we will:

• Understand that our first and greatest concern is the educational welfare of the students, and that all decisions must be based on this understanding;
• Render all decisions based solely on our judgment of the available facts and not surrender that judgment to individuals, special interests, or our own personal agendas;
• Attend all Board meetings insofar as possible, and be responsible for becoming informed on any and all issues coming before the Board, as well as being prepared to discuss and/or act upon all agenda items;
• Be responsible for becoming informed on any and all issues coming before the Board;
• Seeks to facilitate ongoing communication between the Board and students, staff, parents and all elements of the community;
• Conduct our meetings and foster an environment where all elements of the community can express their ideas;
• Declare a conflict of interest when it arises and excuse ourselves from related discussion and action on that issue;
• Refrain from using our position on the Board for personal or partisan gain;
• Insist on regular and impartial evaluation of all staff, and conduct a yearly self- evaluation and set annual goals;
• Fairly assess all non-instructional aspects of the school operation;
• Support all decisions by the Board to the community once a decision has been reached; AND
• Attend all Board meetings insofar as possible and be responsible for becoming informed on any and all issues coming before the Board, as well as being prepared to discuss and/or act upon all agenda items;
• Understand that we have no authority beyond that which is exercised at the Board meeting, and that we shall not lend the impression that we are speaking on the Board’s behalf unless that authority has been so delegated.

The Newtown Board of Education is committed to the highest legal and ethical standards essential in governing its school system. It endeavors to encourage growth and support established and innovative educational objectives.

(cf. 9000 - Role of Board and its Members) (cf. 9271 - Code of Ethics)

Adopted: 4/10/12