While serving as a member of my board of education, I will accept the responsibility to improve education. To that end I will:

  • Remember that my first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of all students attending the public schools;
  • Obey the laws of Ohio and the United States;
  • Respect the confidentiality of privileged information;
  • Recognize that as an individual board member I have no authority to speak or act for the board;
  • Work with other members to establish effective board policies;
  • Delegate authority for the administration of the schools to the superintendent and staff;
  • Encourage ongoing communications among board members, the board, students, staff, and the community;
  • Render all decisions based on the available facts and my independent judgment rather than succumbing to the influence of individuals or special interest groups;
  • Make every effort to attend all board meetings;
  • Become informed concerning the issues to be considered at each meeting;
  • Improve my boardmanship by studying educational issues and by participating in in-service programs;
  • Support the employment of staff members based on qualifications and not as a result of influence;
  • Cooperate with other board members and administrators to establish a system of regular and impartial evaluations of all staff;
  • Avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance thereof;
  • Refrain from using my board position for benefit of myself, family members or business associates;
  • Express my personal opinions but, once the board has acted, accept the will of the majority.

Adopted by the OSBA Delegate Assembly November 11, 1991