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Book Policy Manual
Section 9000 - ByLaws
Title Code of Conduct
Code 9272
Status First Reading November
Adopted 18, 1997 March 8, 2022
Last Revised 01/14/2020;
Prior Revised
Dates
CODE OF CONDUCT
The success of every school system depends on an effective working relationship between the Board of Education, the
Superintendent of Schools and the community at large. This code incorporates those standards and responsibilities most
critical to productive Board, Superintendent and community relations.
1. Board members and the Superintendent ensure the opportunity for high quality education for every student and make the
well-being of students the fundamental goal of all decision-making and actions.
2. Board members and the Superintendent are staunch advocates of high quality free public education for all Connecticut
children and will work together to help create public schools which meet the individual educational needs of all children
regardless of their ability, race, creed, sex, physical condition or social standing.
3. Board members and the Superintendent will help the community to understand the importance of proper support for public
education.
4. Board members and the Superintendent recognize that clear and appropriate communications are key to the successful
operation of the school district and that they must ensure that the community remains fully informed on school-related
matters. In addition, they will work to help the community to understand the importance of proper support for public
education.
5. Board members and the Superintendent will always carry out their respective roles with the highest levels of professionalism,
honesty and integrity.
6. The Superintendent and Board members recognize that the Superintendent serves as the Board of Education's agent and will,
in that role, faithfully apply the policies and contracts adopted by the Board. Board members recognize that their
responsibility is not to "run the schools," but to see that they are well-run through effective policies.
7. Board members adhere to the principle that they shall confine the Board's role to policy-making, planning and appraisal while
the Superintendent shall implement the Board's policies.
8. Board members and The Superintendent both recognize that they serve as a part of an educational team with mutual respect,
trust, civility and regard for each other's respective roles and responsibilities.
9. Board members and The Superintendent consider and decide all issues fairly and without bias.
10. Board members recognize that their responsibility is not to "run the schools" through administration, but together with fellow
Board members, to see that they are well run through effective policies.
11. Board members recognize that authority rests only with the whole Board assembled in public meeting, and will make no
personal promises or take any private action which may compromise the Board.
12. Board members will refer all complaints through the proper "chain of command" within the system, and will act on such
complaints at public meetings only when administrative solutions fail.
CODE OF CONDUCT AND EXPECTATIONS
Board members and the Superintendent both recognize that they serve as a part of an
educational team with mutual respect, trust, civility and regard for each other's respective
roles and responsibilities. Board members and the Superintendent consider and decide all
issues fairly and without bias.
It is the policy of the Colchester Board of Education (the “Board”) that all members of the
Board will:
1. adhere to all Board policies, rules and regulations;
2. conduct themselves in a fair and impartial manner;
3. refrain from interfering with the implementation of a Board policy decision by
the administration;
4. refrain from interfering with the duties of any school district official;
5. refrain from divulging to anyone any aspect of matters considered and
discussed in executive session; and
6. insist that all school business transactions be open and ethical.
Procedures for Censure or Other Disciplinary Action
The following procedures shall be used in lieu of any procedures set forth in Robert’s Rules
of Order with respect to any proposed action to censure or take other disciplinary action
regarding a Board member for cause:
1. The Board shall review the performance and/or conduct of the Board member
in open or executive session (as determined by the Board and the Board
member in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act) at a regular or
special meeting of the Board, prior to initiating any action to censure or take
other disciplinary action regarding a Board member for cause.
2. If the Board determines as a result of such discussion that censure or other
disciplinary action concerning a Board member may be appropriate, the Board
shall provide the Board member with:
a. reasonable written notice of the Board’s intent to consider censure or other
disciplinary action, including the factual basis for the claimed ”cause” for the
censure or disciplinary action against the member, with such notice to be
provided after being authorized by majority vote of those Board members
present and voting; and
b. an informal opportunity to be heard by the Board regarding such possible
censure or other disciplinary action, at which the Board member shall have
the right to be represented by counsel at the Board member’s own expense
and to
present relevant evidence to the Board. The informal opportunity to be
heard shall take place in open or executive session (as determined by the
Board and the Board member in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act) at a regular or special meeting of the Board.
3. Any action to censure or take other disciplinary action regarding a Board
member
for cause following such informal hearing shall require an affirmative vote by a
majority of all members of the Board.
Legal Conn. Gen. Stat. 10-220 Duties of boards of education.