Agenda Item
c. Affirmation of Board Policy, Descriptor Codes BH and BHA and Affirmation of Board Norms
Summary: Presented by: Board Chair Elect
Request: Pursuant to Board Policies BH (Board Member Code of Ethics) and BHA (Board Member Conflict of Interest), it is requested that the members of the Board of Education re-affirm their commitment to comply with Board Policy BH (Board Member Code of Ethics) and Board Policy BHA (Board Member Conflict of Interest). It is also requested that members of the Board of Education affirm to comply with Board Norms.
Why: At the first meeting of each calendar year (or as soon thereafter as possible), all Board Members shall publicly swear to or affirm their commitment to comply with the Board Members Ethics Policy, as set forth in Board Policy BH, and the Board Members Conflict of Interest Policy, as set forth in Board Policy BHA, as well as Board Norms, as approved by the Board on May 6, 2013.
Details: To enforce the Board Code of Ethics, policy BH authorizes the Board to take various measures if a Board Member is found by a majority vote of the Board to have violated the Code of Ethics. The burden of proof is on the Board to establish the alleged violation by a preponderance of the evidence. If the accused Board Member is found to have committed the alleged violation, the Board is authorized to take several actions.
1. Censure or reprimand the Board Member;
2. Disavow the improper acts or statements of the Board Member;
3. Require a public apology by the Board Member;
4. Initiate a civil action to recover the value of anything received by the Board Member in violation of the Board Member Ethics Policy or the Board Member Conflict of Interest Policy;
5. If warranted by the evidence and findings; report the matter to the law enforcement authorities for possible consideration of criminal charges against the Board Member.
DEKALB BOARD OF EDUCATION
ETHICS OATH
I, _____________________, as a member of the
DeKalb County Board of Education, hereby affirm
my commitment to comply with the Board Member
Ethics Policy, as set forth in Board Policy BH, and
the Board Member Conflict of Interest Policy, as set
forth in Board Policy BHA.
_____________________
Signature
_____________________
Date