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Code of Ethics for Members of the School Board

  1. Uphold the Constitution, laws and regulations of the United States, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Alexandria.
  2. Put loyalty to the welfare of the children and to the School District as a whole above loyalty to individuals, voting districts, particular schools or other special interest groups.
  3. Give a full measure of effort and service to the position of trust for which stewardship has been granted; giving earnest effort and best thought to the performance of duties.
  4. Seek to find and use the most equitable, efficient, effective, and economical means for getting tasks accomplished.
  5. Recommend and support policies and programs that support and protect the human rights of all members of the school community.
  6. Ensure the integrity of the actions of the School Board by avoiding granting special favors or unfair privileges to anyone and any entity.
  7. Engage in no business with the City government, or the school system, either directly or indirectly, which is inconsistent with the conscientious performance of duties except as may be consistent with the conflict of interest statutes in the Code of Virginia.
  8. Never use any information gained confidentially in the performance of Board duties as a means of making private profit or gaining personal advantage of any kind.
  9. Report through appropriate means and channels, corruption, misconduct, or neglect of duty whenever discovered.
  10. Adhere to the principle that the public's business should be conducted in the public view by observing and following the letter and spirit of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act using closed meetings only to deal with sensitive personnel, student, legal or contractual problems as provided by the Code of Virginia.
  11. Ensure that when responding to the media, or in communication with others, a clear distinction is made between personal opinion or belief and a decision made by the school board.
  12. Review orally and in public session at the annual organizational meeting each of these principles and abide by them as a Board Member.

Whenever a member believes that another has violated the Code of Ethics or Standards of Conduct it is incumbent on him or her to bring the issue to the person first, then to the chairman of the board who shall immediately investigate the allegation and, if substantiated and not resolved with the individual member, bring the issue to the full board in closed meeting.