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State Board of Education Adopts Local School Board Governance Standards and Model Ethics Policy
MEDIA CONTACT: Matt Cardoza, GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 651-7358, mcardoza@gadoe.org  - Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook     September 9, 2010 --  The State Board of Education (SBOE) today adopted Local School Board Governance Standards and a Model Ethics Policy that includes conflicts of interest for local school boards. This action was prompted by the passage of Senate Bill 84, which Governor Sonny Perdue signed into law this past May. Georgia is the only state in the country to have adopted Local School Board Governance Standards and a Model Ethics Policy.   "I am so proud of the action our State Board of Education took today by passing the Local School Board Governance Standards and Model Ethics Policy," said State Board of Education Chair Wanda Barrs. "The State Board of Education and I firmly believe that educational governing bodies, including the State Board itself, must meet high standards and serve within the context of a strong system of accountability."   The SBOE remains committed to accountability at each level of the K-12 system of public education. This initiative will provide standards for continuous professional development for public servants to model effective school board governance within their communities, thus strengthening and undergirding local control of school systems.   “The standards and model ethics policy the State Board passed today will hold local school governance teams accountable and help guide their work to create the best possible learning environment for students," said State School Superintendent Brad Bryant. "I believe this action will help transform local boards of education in ways that will have a very positive effect on student achievement."   The State Board of Education today also initiated the process to create a Local School Board Governance rule. The rule will include items such as:  - eligibility for office  - size of local boards  - per diem allowances and expenses for local board members  - identification of the fundamental role of the board and local superintendents  - establishment of a code of ethics  - identification of conflicts of interest  - possibility of suspension and replacement if a local school district loses accreditation due to board action  - revisions to employment eligibility requirements for local school superintendents and revisions to training standards for members of local boards of education   The SBOE is scheduled to vote on the Local School Board Governance rule at their October meeting.   More Information:   Local Board Governance Standards    Model Code of Ethics      Conflicts of Interest   
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