CHAPTER 2.00 - SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNANCE AND
ORGANIZATION
2.01 Responsibilities And Authority Of The Board
(1) The School Board is responsible for the organization and control of the public schools of the District and is empowered to determine the policies necessary for the effective operation and the general improvement of the school system. The School Board is a public corporate entity and may take action only when the Board is meeting in official public session and a quorum is present. Individual members of the School Board have authority to take official action only when sitting as a member of the School Board in public session except when the School Board specifically authorizes the member to act. The School Board shall not be bound in any way by any action on the part of an individual board member or an employee except when such statement or action is in compliance with the public action of the School Board.
(2) The Board operates in accordance with state law and regulations and is responsible for organization, operation, supervision, and control of public schools.
(3) For the purpose of transacting business and exercising School Board powers, the Board meets regularly and in duly called special meetings. Regular Board meetings will be held in accordance with the schedule adopted by the Board at its annual organization meeting, unless otherwise provided by the Board. All regular and special meetings will be open to the public.
(4) The board, desiring to operate under the highest ethical standards and recognizing that the public interest and the respect of the people in their government must be of foremost concern, adopts the following code of ethics in addition to standards of conduct set forth in state law.
Board members shall:
(a) Observe the regulations and policies of the school system and all laws, rules and regulations governing education;
(b) Act responsibly in all Board-related matters with proper decorum and respect for others;
(c) Recognize that the Board functions only as a Board through duly adopted policies and actions approved at public sessions; that individual Board members have no authority to act on behalf of the District or the Board;
(d) Communicate to other Board members and the Superintendent expressions of public reaction to Board policies and school programs;
(e) Carry out the duties of any elected or appointed position within the Board in a fair and impartial manner;
(f) Maintain confidentiality of privileged information;
(g) Respect the decisions of the Board;
(h) Seek to examine issues with objectivity, basing personal positions on the evidence and voting independently;
(i) Represent the entire community without fear or favor.
Statutory Authority: 1001.41, 1001.42, F.S.
Laws Implemented: 1001.31, 1001.363, 1001.372(1), 1001.395, 1001.41, 1001.43, 1003.02, F.S.
History:
Date adopted: 01/14/1999
Date revised: 02/09/2010
