TRUSTEE CODE OF CONDUCT

The Board has a strong commitment to ethical conduct. This includes the responsibility of trustees to use authority properly and to conduct themselves with appropriate decorum and professionalism at all times.

Consequences for the failure of individual trustees to adhere to the Trustee Code of Conduct are specified in Policy 13 Appendix – Trustee Code of Conduct Sanctions.

Specifically the Trustees shall:

1. Carry out their responsibilities as detailed in Policy 3 – Role of the Trustee with reasonable diligence.
2. Keep confidential any personal, privileged or confidential information obtained in their capacity as a trustee and not disclose the information except when authorized by law or by the Board to do so. Trustees shall not divulge the contents of closed (in-camera) meetings, recognizing that a disclosure could seriously harm the Board’s ability to conduct its business.
3. Be fully conversant with conflict of interest provisions of the School Act. Disclose in open meeting prior to discussion of the subject matter which may place the trustee in conflict, the nature of any pecuniary interest, and may leave the room. In addition, such a trustee in conflict shall not discuss the matter outside the meeting with other trustees and shall not exert influence on the decision in which the trustee has a conflict of interest. The trustee is responsible for declaring themselves to be in possible conflict of interest, however, it is the fiduciary duty of all trustees, the Superintendent and the Secretary Treasurer to protect the Board and they have a duty to point out apparent, potential or perceived conflict of interest when it appears. Additionally, a trustee may request guidance from other trustees or the Board on this matter. Such declaration of conflict of interest shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting and the trustee shall not in any way discuss the associated topic at any time outside the Board table.
4. Not use their influence to obtain employment within the District for family members or friends and will not use their position for personal advantage or the advantage of friends and/or family.
5. Not attempt to exercise individual authority over the organization except as explicitly set forth in policies of the Board. Trustees’ interaction with the Superintendent or with staff shall recognize the lack of authority vested in individual trustees except when explicitly authorized by the Board;
6. Respect that only the corporate Board as opposed to individual Trustees shall exercise individual authority over the Superintendent. In particular, only the corporate Board shall make judgments regarding the Superintendents’ performance.
7. Abide by the policies of the Board, all applicable legislation and regulations, in particular the School Act, the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office.
8. Respect and abide by the majority decisions made by the Board in legally constituted meetings.
9. Endeavour to work with fellow Board members in a spirit of harmony and cooperation in spite of differences of opinion which may arise during debate.
10. Ensure fiduciary responsibility to the Board supersedes any conflicting loyalty such as that to advocacy or interest groups and membership on other Boards or staffs.
11. Represent the Board in all Board-related matters with proper decorum and respect for others.
12. Use discretion at all times to minimize the impression that the individual trustees’ statements reflect the corporate opinion of the Board.
13. Ensure the use of electronic devices is for the purposes of the meeting.
14. Refrain from engaging in private communications while at Board meetings.