Code of Ethics

CODE OF ETHICS

(C) Standard 1.3. The educator shall not submit fraudulent requests for reimbursement, expenses, or pay.

I saw this when I was coaching. Some coaches would write down an inaccurate mileage when using their personal vehicle for school related activities. These actions cost the district a few thousand dollars a year.

Short and Long Term Consequences

Short: Employee must repay any reimbursement that was received from falsified mileage logs.

Long: Employee may be terminated to his/her actions in regards to school funds.

Preventative Action Plan

Provide a school vehicle for employees to use instead of their personal vehicle when traveling to school related events or activities.

SBEC - Exhibit understanding and implement policies and procedures that promote district personnel compliance with The Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators.

(L) Standard 1.12. The educator shall refrain from the illegal use or distribution of controlled substances and/or abuse of prescription drugs and toxic inhalants.

I once work with a teacher that had a problem with prescription drugs due to many surgeries. His conduct and behavior what very dangerous and was a huge liability to the students and the district. He was able to go undetected for several years before the district was able to release him of his duties. He was a walking liability to the district. He was seen throwing himself down a flight stairs at school in hopes to collect disability from the district.

Short and Long Term Consequences

Short: Suspended from form work without pay.

Long: Mandatory drug test for a set period of time. This will be determined by the board. Termination of employment will be effected if the staff member fails to comply.

Preventative Action Plan

Teachers and staff should be eligible for random drug testing done through the district by an out sourced company.

SBEC - Serve as an advocate for all children.

 (M) Standard 1.13. The educator shall not consume alcoholic beverages on school property or during school activities when students are present.

We had an educator consuming alcohol while on a trip with students from a school organization. Some of the students’ parents were present as chaperones but the activity was school related. Then this individual posted pictures to Facebook. These types of actions can leave the district venerable to lawsuits. This can lead to an unnecessary finical issue for the district.

Short and Long Term Consequences

Short: Band for a period of time from going on any school related trips or activities.

Long: Termination of employment.

Preventative Action Plan

Every school group or club will have more than one sponsor/coach participate when the group or club is involved in any activity that is off campus.

SBEC - Apply laws, policies, and procedures in a fair and reasonable manner.

(B) Standard 2.2. The educator shall not harm others by knowingly making false statements about a colleague or the school system.

There was an issue last year where many of our staff members created and sent out an email that was very negative and demeaning to the school district. This email was based off of private and personal information. All of the people involved used their school email address to send or forward this letter. This in itself is a violation of school policy. These staff members could have cost some people their jobs due to the fact that they involved them unknowingly. This could have also lead to lawsuits over defamation of character.

   (G) Standard 2.7. The educator shall not retaliate against any individual who has filed a complaint with the SBEC or who provides information for a disciplinary investigation or proceeding under this chapter.

I don’t all of the details but this happen in a district I was at years ago. They had a huge mess on their hands. There was a lawsuit pending on an employee at the same time this employee was harassing the teacher that was called in as a witness. All I do know is that the school was shelling out some bucks to the attorneys that were handling the case. Like more of these examples there usually is an attorney in evolved.