School district may approve code of ethics

To an outsider, it may read like military conduct guidelines, but those within the Cape Girardeau School District say a new code of ethics just describes what they already do on a regular basis.

The six page document was created by the district's policy committee in response to requirements by the Missouri School Board Association. The Cape Girardeau School Board will consider the code's approval at its meeting Monday night.

"It's really a document that says this is what we believe about professional behavior of our staff members," said superintendent Mark Bowles.

The code stresses fair treatment of students, parents and community members, confidentiality and following the proper chain of command within the district. The document is broken down into four principles that list between nine and 14 expectations for employees.

Principal I encompasses "Commitment to the Student," Principal II, "Commitment to the Profession," Principal III, "Commitment to the School Community" and Principal IV, "Commitment to the Greater Education Community."

Brenda Randolph, a Clippard Elementary teacher who is president of the local chapter of the National Education Association and also serves on the district's policy committee, said the committee looked at examples of codes of ethics from several organizations and school districts before developing one for Cape Girardeau.

"I don't really think this changes anything. We have a wonderful staff and people do those things anyway," Randolph said.

Examples of expectations included in the code are:

"respect the basic responsibility of parents for their children."

"help to increase students' confidence in their own home and avoid disparaging remarks that might undermine that confidence."

"respect the community ... and be loyal to the school system, community, state and nation."

"discuss controversial issues from an objective point of view, thereby keeping the class or school environment free from partisan opinions."

The code was presented to employee committees for feedback, and Bowles said everything he heard was positive.

"It's a reflection of a drive for accountability," he said. "When you have something like this written down it further emphasizes as a school district we hold our staff to high expectations."

cclark@semissourian.com

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