CODE OF CONDUCT
BOARD GOVERNANCE

1. Attend all scheduled board meetings, insofar as possible, and review advance materials about the issues to be considered on each agenda.
2. In consultation with the principal, teachers, and superintendent, set education goals for the school(s).
3. Maintain confidentiality of information and discussion conducted in executive session.
4. Review essential facts, consider others' ideas, and then present personal opinions during board deliberations but, once the board vote has been taken, support board decisions regardless of how individuals voted.
5. Act only as a member of the board and do not assume any individual authority when the board is not in session, unless otherwise directed by the board.
6. Rely on school policies that are continually updated and aligned with Arizona and federal education laws, and guidance from the superintendent, when making board decisions.
7. Request recommendations from the superintendent and seek legal counsel, when required for full and informed board consideration of issues requiring legal expertise.
8. Expect an equitable amount of board meeting time be spent both learning about educational programs and conducting the business of the board.
9. Maintain a priority board focus on increasing student achievement and ensuring efficient use of education resources.

BOARD-ADMINISTRATION RELATION

1. Provide policy support for school administrators in the performance of their duties and delegate authority commensurate with those responsibilities.
2. Expect the superintendent to keep the board adequately informed through regular written and oral reports.
3. Refer complaints, requests, and concerns to the superintendent or other appropriate staff members.
4. Avoid making commitments that may compromise the decision making ability of the board or administrators.
5. Maintain open and candid communication with the superintendent.
6. Hold the superintendent accountable by jointly creating job performance standards and at least annually perform a comprehensive evaluation process based on the job description, contract, and identified performance standards.
7. Recognize that a board member's responsibility is to see that schools are well run, but not to run them.

BOARD MEMBER RELATIONS

1. Retain independent judgment and refuse to surrender that judgment to individuals or special interest groups.
2. Voice opinions respectfully and maintain good relations with other board members, administrators, school staff, and members of the public.

PERSONNEL RELATIONS

1. Seek to employ the most qualified school staff and insist on regular, impartial employee evaluations.
2. Hire no superintendent, principal or teacher already under contract with another school district unless assurance is first secured from the proper authority that the person can be released from his or her contract.
3. Individual board members shall not give directives to any school administrator or employee, publicly or privately.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

1. Perform a liaison communications role by interpreting the attitudes, wishes, and needs of both the community and the school.
2. Consider the needs of the entire community and vote for what seems best for students.
3. Encourage collaboration between the school and community.
4. Request that periodic surveys be conducted with the community to assess the quality of education services and use the data to establish and monitor goals.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

1. Do not solicit or receive directly or indirectly any gift or compensation in return for making a recommendation or casting a vote.
2. Do not receive anything of value by contract or otherwise, from the school district or supervisory union you serve unless it is received: as a result of a contract accepted after a public bid; in public recognition of service or achievement; or as regular salary or expenses allowed by law for official duties performed as a member of such board.
3. Follow the school board conflict of interest policy regarding the appearance of conflict of interest.

BOARD PREPARATION AND TRAINING

1. Be informed about educational issues through individual study and by participating in board development opportunities such as those sponsored by the Arizona and National School Boards Associations, the Arizona Department of Education, and other education organizations.
2. Support new school board members by sharing your experience and knowledge.
3. Ensure that adequate board orientation and team building opportunities are available for board members and administrators.
4. Associate with board members from other school districts to discuss school problems and collaborate on school improvement initiatives.

CODE OF BOARD ETHICS

1. As a member of the Paulden Community School Governing Board of Directors, I will strive to improve public education, and to that end I will:
2. Attend all regularly scheduled Board meetings insofar as possible, and become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings;
3. Recognize that a board member should endeavor to make policy decisions only after full discussion at publicly held Board meetings;
4. Render all decisions based on the available facts and my independent judgment, and refuse to surrender that judgment to individuals or special interest groups;
5. Encourage the free expression of opinion by all Board members, and seek systematic communications between the Board and students, staff, and all elements of the community;
6. Work with other Board members to establish effective Board policies and to delegate authority for the administration of the schools to the Superintendent;
7. Communicate to other Board members and the Superintendent expression of public reaction to Board policies and school programs;
8. Inform oneself about current educational issues by individual study and through participation in programs providing needed information, such as those sponsored by my state and national school boards association;
9. Support the employment of those persons best qualified to serve as school staff, and insist on a regular and impartial evaluation of all staff;
10. Avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest, and refrain from using my Board position for personal or partisan gain;
11. Take no private action that will compromise the Board or administration, and respect the confidentiality of information that is privileged under applicable law, and
12. Remember always that my first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of the students attending the public schools.

STATEMENT OF LOCATION FOR ALL NOTICES OF THE MEETINGS OF THE RESEARCH BASED EDUCATION CORPORATION GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS

To The Citizens of Arizona: Pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.02, the Research Based Education Corporation, dba Paulden Community School hereby states that all notices of the meetings of their Governing Board of Director’s and any of its committees and subcommittees will be posted at 8433 N. Black Canyon Highway, Suite 160, Phoenix, Arizona 85021. The notices will be posted on the office bulletin board and the Paulden Community School webpage under “Governing Board”. The school location is open to the Public, Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, except on legal holidays. Such notices will indicate the date, time, and place of meeting and will include an agenda or information concerning the manner in which the public may obtain an agenda for the meeting.

Dated this 30th day of July, 2010. (Revised May 10, 2012)
James Sexton, Authorized Representative
Research Based Education Corporation