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6140 | Role of the Trustee and Trustee Code of Conduct Policy

Date Approved: June 10 2014
Date Reviewed/Amended: January 15 2024

POLICY

The Role of the Board is to govern and to set policy for the school district. The School Act gives no individual authority to trustees. The day-to-day administration of the education programs and the conduct of the school operations is the responsibility of the Superintendent of Schools and district staff.

As members of the corporate Board, trustees are accountable to the public for the collective decisions of the Board and for the delivery and quality of educational services. A trustee must serve the community as an elected representative; however, the trustee's primary responsibility is to make decisions in the best interest of the district as a member of a corporate Board. A trustee will not allow any private interest to influence their conduct in public matters and will comply with the requirements of the School Act that relate to conflict of interest.

Trustees will conduct themselves in an ethical and business-like manner. Specifically, trustees will:

  1. Abide by the policies of the Board and all applicable legislation and regulations, including the School Act and the Oath of Office.
  2. Strive to instill the community's trust in the public education system by carrying out their duties in an open and collaborative manner.
  3. Base decisions on all available facts and vote their honest and unbiased conviction in every case.
  4. Recognize their duty is to represent and advocate for the best interests of all learners in the school district.
  5. Do everything possible to maintain the integrity, confidence, and dignity of the office of trustee and not use their position for personal advantage or the advantage of friends and/or family.
  6. Trustees shall work with fellow board members in a spirit of harmony & cooperation and be respectful of differences of opinion.  Trustees shall refrain from engaging in unwarranted criticism, from making unjustified personal attacks on the reputation or views of other trustees or staff, or taking private action that could compromise the integrity or authority of the Board.  Trustees shall observe proper decorum & encourage full, open & courteous discussions in all matters with other trustees.  Information that may be of potential concern should not be concealed or withheld.
  7. Be aware that the public has a greater interest in the opinion of an elected official and use discretion at all times to minimize the impression that an individual trustee's statements reflect the corporate opinion of the Board.
  8. Respect and abide by the majority decisions made by the Board.
  9. Recognize that as individuals, trustees have no authority outside the meetings of the Board unless specifically delegated by the Board. Trustees may speak about what the Board has decided in a public meeting and individuals may state the reason for their vote.
  10. Declare any conflict of interest and not participate in, vote on, or exert influence on, a decision in which the trustee has a conflict of interest, as outlined in the Conflict of Interest Policy.
  11. Respect confidentiality and not divulge the contents of closed (in-camera) meetings, recognizing that a disclosure could seriously harm the Board's ability to conduct its business.

REFERENCES

BC School Act

School Trustee Oath of Office Regulation

Policy 6130, Role of the Board Policy

Policy 6260, Conflict of Interest Policy

Policy 6310, Role of the Superintendent Policy

Policy 6510, Board Communications Policy

REFERENCES
6130 - Policy 6130 - Role of the Board Policy
6260 - Policy 6260 - Conflict of Interest Policy
6310 - Policy 6310 - Role of the Superintendent Policy
6130 - Policy 6510 - Role of the Board Policy