Policy 2:80

Board of Education

Member of the Board of Education Oath and Code of Conduct

Oath:

Each member of the Board of Education shall take the following oath of office, before taking the member’s seat on the Board:

I, (name), do solemnly swear that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of member of the Board of Education Wilmette School District 39, in accordance with the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and the laws of the State of Illinois, to the best of my ability.

I further swear that:

    I shall respect taxpayer interests by serving as a faithful protector of the School District’s assets;
    I shall encourage and respect the free expression of opinion by my fellow members of the Board of Education and others who seek a hearing before the Board, while respecting the privacy of students and employees;
    I shall recognize that a member of the Board of Education has no legal authority as an individual and that decisions can be made only by a majority vote at a public Board meeting;
    I shall abide by majority decisions of the Board, while retaining the right to seek changes in such decisions through ethical and constructive channels;
    As part of the Board of Education, I shall accept the responsibility for my role in the equitable and quality education for every student in the school district;
    I shall foster with the Board extensive participation of the community, formulate goals, define outcomes, and set the course for Wilmette School District 39;
    I shall assist in establishing a structure and an environment designed to ensure all students have the opportunity to attain their maximum potential through a sound organizational framework;
    I shall strive to ensure a continuous assessment of student achievement and all conditions affecting the education of our children, in compliance with state law;
    I shall serve as education’s key advocate on behalf of students and our community’s schools to advance the vision for Wilmette Public School District 39; and
    I shall strive to work together with the Superintendent to lead the school district toward fulfilling the vision the Board has created, fostering excellence for every student in the areas of academic skills, knowledge, citizenship, and personal development.

The Board President or President Pro Tempore will administer the oath in an open Board meeting; in the absence of the President, the Vice President will administer the oath. If neither is available, the member of the Board of Education with the longest service on the Board will administer the oath

The Board adopts the Illinois Association of School Boards’ Code of Conduct for Members of School Boards. A copy of the Code shall be displayed in the regular Board meeting room.

Adopted: October 20, 1997
Revised: March 20, 2006; January 25, 2016; February 25, 2019; November 15, 2021