Every year, Pequannock Board of Education members have to reaffirm their commitment to the Code of Ethics for School Board Members. Abiding by the Code of Ethics is a statutory requirement of all NJ BOE members, and the Pequannock board members take this obligation very seriously. The Code of Ethics requires that we:
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.
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.
confine board action to policy making, planning, and appraisal, and help to frame policies and plans only after the board has consulted those who will be affected by them.
carry out our responsibility, not to administer the schools, but, together with fellow board members, to see that they are well run.
recognize that authority rests with the board of education and make no personal promises nor take any private action that may compromise the board.
refuse to surrender independent judgment to special interest or partisan political groups or to use the schools for personal gain or for the gain of friends.
hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools which, if disclosed, would needlessly injure individuals or the schools, and in all other matters, provide accurate information and, in concert with fellow board members, interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community for its school.
vote to appoint the best qualified personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of the chief administrative officer.
support and protect school personnel in proper performance of their duties.
refer all complaints to the chief administrative officer and will act on the complaints at public meetings only after failure of an administrative solution.
When deciding how to act or respond in a situation, I take into account these oaths and decide accordingly. Sometimes the obligations of the Code of Ethics outweigh the decision we might make if we were only considering our own needs and wants, or what would most benefit our own children or family. But a board member has a responsibility to consider what is best for the district and the entirety of the school community, whose priorities are not always the same. We take the advice of the Superintendent who runs the schools, who knows the ins and outs of the district, and whose full-time job is to consider all of the available options and research. We use our own critical judgment and moral compass, we use the guidance of the Code of Ethics, and we make difficult decisions in partnership with the chief school administrator (Superintendent).