Week 5 Part 1 Code of Ethic and School Leaders

This was an excellent way to apply experiences to the Code of Ethic Standards.

Please provide 3 examples from Section 1, Standards 1.1 – 1.13

#1) Standard 1.3.

The educator shall not submit fraudulent requests for reimbursement, expenses, or pay.

An Assistant Superintendent submitted receipts from an out of state educational conference which included the expense accounts of two principals that where designated to attend the conference with him.  However the submission of the receipts exposed additional expenses for extended hotel stay, food, and banquets that accommodated the assistant superintendent’s family members. The two principals designated to attend the conference with the Assistant Superintendent were called in to validate the receipts that covered their expenditures.   Turns out the Assistant Superintendent used the district’s credit card to entertain his family during the conference.

Consider short and long-range consequences?

Short term- The Assistant Superintendent was suspended with pay while a thoroughly investigation was conducted of the fraudulent expenses that were submitted. 

Long term – The Assistant Superintendent was terminated based on the misappropriation of expenses for the conferences.   A school district’s credit card is for school business purposes only and should not be used for family entertainment.  

Preventive Action

School board should review the policy and procedures for staff attending conferences. Then meet with central office personnel and campus administrators who in turn with meet with campus staff to review ethical and financial procedures for business trips.

Designated individuals will provide staff development to every district employee regarding the local district guidelines for submitting receipts upon returning from a conference. Provide district employees with a copy of the conference/workshop trip guidelines and have staff sign that they received a copy of the guidelines/policies regarding submission of receipts for reimbursement or expenses.

#2) Standard 1.2.

The educator shall not knowingly misappropriate, divert, or use monies, personnel, property, or equipment committed to his or her charge for personal gain or advantage.

A Superintendent allegedly sent the district’s maintenance crew in district vehicles with district materials and equipment to repair a building structure on his lake front lodge property. The superintendent used the district’s maintenance grew for a personal matter that involved use of district resources. 

Consider short and long-range consequences?

Short term – An investigation was conducted and the Superintendent was placed on administrative leave with pay for two months.

Long term –The Superintendent admitted to the allegations and resigned.  At this point the superintendent’s trust with the community and the school board members is in jeopardy.  Lastly the District inventoried materials used in an effort to replace the materials.

Preventive Actions

The maintenance department was completely restructured and the department went through an intensive review of the code of ethics and of district procedures. Discuss consequences of incidents that violate the code of ethics regarding use of district materials and equipment.

#3) Standard 1.2.

The educator shall not knowingly misappropriate, divert, or use monies, personnel, property, or equipment committed to his or her charge for personal gain or advantage.

Parents accused a principal of a Texas high school and a former cheerleading coach of            misappropriating monies specified for cheerleader uniforms, camp and supplies for the school’s cheerleading squads. The accusations include misappropriation of funds, abuse of power and intimidation, as well as punishing the cheerleaders for the financial mess that occurred under the school’s watch.

Consider short and long-range consequences?

Short term- Transferred the students’ previously individual recorded cheerleader accounts into a general unrestricted student body account, refused to allow parents to inspect the books, and covered up alleged misdeeds in order to protect the school’s reputation.
Long term-   In this scenario there was difficulty with clearing up parents ‘misconceptions of the allegation against the principal. Cheerleading season was cut in half because the school could not afford the coach’s $2,000 stipend which was separate from cheerleading funds.
Consequences-   If principal accused is found guilty of misappropriating the cheerleading funds this is a violation that could result in disciplinary action such a written reprimand or an administrative leave. 
Preventive Action- It is obvious that appropriate training and review of the code of ethics should be revisited for the correct procedures and district policies for the proper handling of funds that deal with such accounts.   Appropriate individuals should be appointed and knowledgeable of the guidelines that are established for dealing with extracurricular activity accounts such as that of the cheerleader account. This type of incident is one that school districts want to monitor closely to avoid misconceptions within the community and the district as a whole.

Provide 2 examples from Standards 2.1 – 2.7.

#4) Standard 2.3.

The educator shall adhere to written local school board policies and state and federal laws regarding the hiring, evaluation, and dismissal of personnel.

Without providing a growth plan for the teacher in question a principal attempted to submit a non-renewal teacher contract on the teacher due to unsatisfactory performance ratings on her PDAS evaluation. The violation here is the attempt to dismiss a teacher without due process.

          Consider short and long-range consequences?

Short term - Teacher filed a grievance with the school district and with the local teacher organization.  Eventually the teacher filed a grievance against the principal.

Long term - Principal was given a written reprimand for not following local school board and state policy regarding policy for non-renewal for a teacher contract. No documentation of growth plan for the teacher was available to indicate proof of evidence that the teacher received support from supervisors, mentors, or the principal. 

Consequences - Eventually the teacher filed a grievance against the principal and was moved to another campus and finally resigned from the district.

   Preventive Actions – Apparently the principal needs a reteach on measures to take to support a teacher who performs unsatisfactory on the PDAS instrument. Develop and implement a growth plan for the teacher. Monitor the time line established for assessment of the areas of concern.  Schedule another PDAS evaluation or have another appraiser perform the evaluation.

#5) Standard 2.6.

The educator shall not use coercive means or promises of special treatment in order to influence professional decisions or colleagues.

In this standard an example of violation would occur if a board member informed a campus principal of a guaranteed promotion for his wife who currently teaches, but desires an administrative position if the principal hires his daughter who recently graduated from college.

Short and long consequences are involved in this scenario.

Promoting the wife of the principal does not she is the most qualified person for the position. It is a measure of trading one favor for another.  Long term effects involved the highly qualified candidate vs. the non-highly qualified candidate.

Preventive Actions- Simply positioned are policies and guidelines established by the local districts and the state.  Follow the established policies and procedures to avoid uncomfortable situations that may be harmful to others.

Here are the Competency 1:

The superintendent knows how to act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner

In order to promote the success of all students.

The superintendent knows how to:

    3   as an advocate for all children.

1, 2,3,4,5  model and promote the highest standard of conduct, ethical principles, and integrity in decision making, actions, and behaviors.

1, 2 & 3  exhibit understanding and implement policies and procedures that promote district personnel compliance with The Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators.

1, 2,3  monitor and address ethical issues impacting education.

1, 3, 4 apply laws, policies, and procedures in a fair and reasonable manner.

______ interact with district staff, students, school board, and community in a professional and ethical manner.