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SUBJECT:     CODE OF ETHICS FOR ALL DISTRICT PERSONNEL

 

Pursuant to the provisions of General Municipal Law, the Board of Education of the Groton Central School District recognizes that there are rules of ethical conduct for members of the Board and employees of the District if a high degree of moral conduct is to be obtained in our unit of local government.   Adherence to the Code of Ethics will create an environment of honesty and integrity and will aid in achieving the common mission to encourage, enable, and expect excellence, as well as to provide a safe and high quality education to all Groton Central School students. The fundamental principles upon which this Code of Ethics is predicated are citizenship, cooperation, fairness, honesty, integrity, kindness, pursuit of excellence, respect, and responsibility.

 

These rules shall serve as a guide for official conduct for all members of the Board of Education, administration, teachers, and all other employees of the Groton Central School District, regardless of their position, collective bargaining status or role because of their dual roles as public servants and educators.   The rules of ethical conduct as adopted shall not conflict with, but shall be in addition to, any prohibition of Article Eighteen of the General Municipal Law or any other general or special law relating to ethical conduct and interest in contract of board members and employees.

The Board of Education is committed to avoiding any situation in which the existence of conflicting interests of any officer or employee may call into question the integrity of the management or operation of the school district. The Board recognizes that sound, ethical standards of conduct serve to increase the effectiveness of district officers and staff as educators and public employees in the community. Adherence to a code of ethics promotes public confidence in the schools and furthers the attainment of district goals.

The Board also recognizes its obligation to adopt a code of ethics setting forth the standards of conduct required of all district officers and employees under the provisions of the General Municipal Law. Therefore, every board member, officer, and employee of the District, whether paid or unpaid, shall adhere to the following standards of conduct:

Standards of Conduct

  1. To obey local, state, and national laws, codes, and regulations.

 

  1. To support the principles of due process and protect the civil and human rights of all individuals.

 

  1. To treat all persons with respect and to strive to be fair in all matters.

 

  1. To take responsibility and be accountable for his or her actions.

 

  1. To cooperate with others to protect and advance the District and its students.

 

  1. To be efficient in the delivery of job duties.

 

 

(Continued)

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          Personnel

 

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:     CODE OF ETHICS FOR ALL DISTRICT PERSONNEL (continued)

 

 

  1. To abide by this Code of Ethics, making the well-being of the students and the honest performance of professional duties core guiding principles.

 

  1. Gifts: Pursuant to Section 805-a of the General Municipal Law, he/she and his or her immediate family members shall not directly or indirectly, solicit, accept, or receive any gift having a value of seventy-five ($75) or more, whether in the form of money, services, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, item(s),  promise, or any other form, under circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred that the gift was intended or expected to influence the member, officer, or employee in the performance of official duties, or was intended as a reward for any official action on his/her part. Gifts shall also include a gift made to a charitable organization on behalf of, and designated by, the member, officer, or employee.

 

However, the Board welcomes and encourages the writing of letters or notes expressing gratitude or appreciation to staff members. Gifts from children that are principally sentimental in nature and of insignificant financial value or nominal value may be accepted in the spirit in which they are given.

 

  1. Confidential Information: He/she shall not disclose confidential information acquired by him/her in the course of his/her official duties or use such information to further his/her personal interest.

 

  1. Disclosure of Conflict of Interest: A conflict of interest shall be defined as a situation in which regard for a private interest tends to lead to disregard of a public duty or interest and shall exist upon use by an employee of the authority of his/her office or the use of any confidential information received through his/her employment for the private pecuniary benefit of the employee, or the employee’s immediate family, or a business with which the employee or a member of the employee’s immediate family has employment or ownership or a financial benefit, either directly or indirectly. Any district officer or employee, as well as his/her spouse, who has, will have, or later acquires an interest in any actual or proposed contract, purchase agreement, lease agreement or other agreement, including oral agreements and resolutions, with the District shall publicly disclose the nature and extent of such interest in writing to his/her immediate supervisor and to the Board of Education as soon as he/she has knowledge of such actual or prospective interest.  Such written disclosure shall be made part of and set forth in the Board minutes.  He/she shall be prepared to assist in the clarification of possible conflicts of interest that may arise in the School District and to this end shall refrain from accepting duties, incurring obligations, accepting favors of monetary value, or engaging in private business or professional activities where there is, or would appear to be, a conflict between the employee’s private interests and the interests of the School District.

 

 

 

 

(Continued)

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SUBJECT:     CODE OF ETHICS FOR ALL DISTRICT PERSONNEL (continued)

 

 

  1. Future Employment: He/she shall not, after the termination of service or employment with the School District, appear before any board or agency of the Groton Central School District in relation to any case, proceeding, or application in which he/she personally participated during the period of his/her service or employment or which was under his/her active consideration.

 

  1. Private employment: He/she shall not engage in, solicit, negotiate for, or promise to accept, private employment when that employment or service creates a conflict with, or impairs the proper discharge of, his or her official duties.

 

  1. Distribution of the Code of Ethics: The Superintendent shall give a copy of the Code of Ethics to all employees and officers.  It will be included annually in the employee handbook.  Each officer and employee elected, appointed, or hired thereafter shall be furnished a copy upon entering his or her office or employment.

 

  1. Penalties: In addition to any penalties contained in any other provision of the law, any person who shall knowingly and intentionally violate any of the provisions of this code may be fined, suspended, or removed from office or employment, as the case may be, in the manner provided by law.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approval Date: May 19, 2008