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BBF (TSBVI) Board Code of Ethics

The TSBVI board code of ethics covers equity in attitude, trustworthiness in stewardship, honor in conduct, respect lawful requirements, commitment to service, and a student-centered focus.

GOVERNANCE

The Board of Trustees of the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired shall organize and conduct itself in the same manner as an independent school district board of trustees to the extent that the organization and conduct do not conflict with the board’s responsibilities relating to the status of the School as a state agency.  Education Code 30.022 (d)

The Board of Trustees charges itself to conduct itself in accord with ethical standards widely accepted by the school boards of Texas independent school districts.  These standards are set forth below and in other ethics policies.  [See BBFADBDDBDA]

EQUITY IN ATTITUDE

Board members will be fair, just, and impartial in their decisions and actions, will accord others respect, and encourage expressions of different opinions, listening with an open mind to others’ ideas.

TRUSTWORTHY IN STEWARDSHIP

Board members will be accountable to the public, and responsive to the priorities and concerns of the students, their families, and the staff.

Board members will work to ensure prudent and accountable use of the School’s resources.

Board members will make no personal promise or take private action that may compromise their performance of their responsibilities.

Board members will perform their governance function without engaging in micromanaging the routine operations and the instructional programs of the School.

HONOR IN CONDUCT

Board members will speak the truth, share views while working for consensus, and respect a majority decision as the decision of the Board.

Board members will base their decisions on fact whenever possible rather than supposition, opinion, or public favor.

Board members will refuse to surrender judgment to any individual or group at the expense of the School as a whole.

Board members will keep confidential any information that is privileged by law or that would harm the School if disclosed, including information obtained from student educational records, personnel records, or from executive sessions of the Board.

RESPECT LAWFUL REQUIREMENTS

Board members will consistently uphold all applicable laws, rules, policies, and procedures.

Board members will not lobby the Legislature in an attempt to influence the passage or defeat of legislative measures, but Board members may provide public information that might assist legislators in understanding the roles and needs of the School, and may respond to questions posed to the School by the Legislature.  Gov’t. Code 556.006

COMMITMENT TO SERVICE

Board members will focus their attention on fulfilling the Board’s responsibilities of goal setting, policymaking, budgeting, and evaluation.

Board members will avoid personal involvement in roles and activities that the Board has delegated to the Superintendent.

Board members will diligently prepare for and attend Board meetings.

Board members will seek continuing education to enhance their abilities to fulfill their duties effectively.

STUDENT-CENTERED FOCUS

Board members will be continuously guided by what is best for all students served in the School’s programs.

Adopted:             11/20/15

Amended:          9/27/19

Reviewed: