Policy 307 - Administrator Code of Ethics

This policy establishes the requirement of the School Board that school administrators adhere to the standards of ethics and professional conduct in this policy and Minnesota law (MN Statute: 3512.5200).

An educational administrator’s professional behavior must conform to an ethical code. The code must be idealistic and at the same time practical, so that it can apply reasonably to all educational administrators. The administrator acknowledges that the schools belong to the public they serve for the purpose of providing educational opportunities to all. However, the administrator assumes responsibility for providing professional leadership in the school and community. This responsibility requires the administrator to maintain standards of exemplary professional conduct. It must be recognized that the administrator’s actions will be viewed and appraised by the community, professional associates, and students. To these ends, school administrators:

1. Shall provide professional educational services in a nondiscriminatory manner.

2. Shall take reasonable action to protect students and staff from conditions harmful to health and safety.

3. Shall take reasonable action to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning.

4. Shall respect all relationships with students, parents and caregivers, staff, and colleagues while ensuring no personal advantage.

5. Shall disclose confidential information about individuals only when a compelling professional purpose is served in accordance with state and federal laws, and school district policies.

6. Shall provide records and report facts with accuracy and integrity relating to the administrator's qualifications and to the qualifications of other staff or personnel.

7. Shall not knowingly make false or malicious statements about students, students' families, staff, or colleagues.

8. Shall not accept gratuities, gifts, or favors that impair professional judgment, nor offer any favor, service, or item of value to obtain special advantage.

9. Shall only accept a contract for a position when licensed for the position or when a school district is granted a variance or letter of approval by the board.

10. In filling positions requiring licensure, shall employ, recommend for employment, and assign only appropriately licensed personnel, or persons for whom the school district has been granted a variance by the appropriate state board or agency, unless, after making reasonable efforts to obtain a variance, an appropriately licensed person cannot be assigned and the position must be filled to meet a legitimate emergency educational need.

11. Shall not engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation in the performance of professional duties.

• Adopted: May 9, 2005
• Amended: July 14, 2014
• Amended: December 10, 2018
• Last Reviewed: March 14, 2022