Code: BFF
Adopted: 11/20/13
Revised/Readopted: 4/18/17; 6/16/20; 1/11/22; 11/13/24
Orig. Code(s): BFF

A Board member should:

1. Comply with ethics laws for public officials;

2. Understand that the Board sets the standards for the ESD through Board policy. Board members do
     not manage the ESD on a day-to-day basis;

3. Understand that the Board makes decisions by a quorum vote of the Board. Individual Board
    members may not commit the Board to any action;

4. Respect the right of other Board members to have opinions and ideas which differ;

5. Recognize that decisions are made by a quorum vote are final decisions of the Board. Such decisions
     should be supported by all Board members;

6. Make decisions only after the facts are presented and discussed;

7. Understand the chain of command and refer problems or complaints to the proper administrative
     office;

8. Recognize that the Board must comply with the Public Meetings Law and only has authority to make
     decisions at properly noticed Board meetings;

9. Insist that all Board and ESD business is ethical and honest;

10. Be open, fair and honest — no hidden agendas;

11. Understand that Board members will receive information that is confidential and cannot be shared;

12. Recognize that the superintendent is the Board’s employee and designated as the chief executive
       officer of the ESD and should be present at all meetings, except when the Board is considering the
       superintendent’s evaluation, contract or salary;

13. Take action only after hearing the superintendent’s recommendations;

14. Refuse to bring personal or family problems into Board considerations;

15. Give ESD staff the respect and consideration due to skilled, professional employees;

16. Present personal criticism of ESD operations to the superintendent, not to ESD staff or to a Board
      meeting;

17. Respect the right of the public to attend and observe Board meetings;

18. Respect the right of the public to be informed about ESD decisions and ESD operations as provided
       by law;

19. Remember that content discussed in executive session is confidential and should be maintained as
       such. If board members are not certain what specific information can or should be shared they
       should contact the board chair or superintendent before doing so;

20. Use social media, websites, or other electronic communication judiciously, respectfully, and in a
       manner that does not violate Oregon’s Public Meetings Laws;

21. When posting online or to social media, Board members will treat and refer to other Board                             members, staff, students and the public with respect, and will not post confidential information                   about students staff or ESD business.

22. A Board member is a mandatory reporter of child abuse. A Board member having reasonable cause
       to believe that any child with whom the Board member comes in contact with has suffered abuse or
       that any person with whom the Board member comes in contact with has abused a child shall
       immediately (within 24 hours) make a report to the Department of Human Services (DHS), or to
       law enforcement where the incident occurred.

This information is provided for convenience: report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).

END OF POLICY

Legal Reference(s):

• ORS 162.015 - 162.035 
• ORS 162.405 - 162.425 
• ORS 192.610 - 192.710 
• ORS 244.040 
• ORS Chapter 244 
• ORS 334.095 
• ORS 334.100
• ORS 419B.005

• ORS 419B.010

• ORS 419B.015

• House Bill 242 (2021)

Cross Reference(s):

• BBFA - Board Member Ethics and Conflicts of Interest