At the Dec 11 Greenwich Board of Education meeting, BOE Chair Dr. Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony said he, schools superintendent Dr. Toni Jones and BOE vice chair Sophie Koven had discussed board norms and expectations.
Mercanti-Anthony said topics discussed included attendance and preparation for meetings.
Ms Koven said BOE Policy 9273, “Expectations for Board Members,” and Policy 9271, the BOE Code of Ethics were important for board members to be familiar with.
The Code of Ethics talks about board members and the superintendent carrying out their respective roles with the highest level of professionalism, honesty and integrity, representing the entire community and ensuring the community remains fully informed on all school related matters.
Koven noted that per the policy, Expectations include: “Attend all Board meetings insofar as possible, review relevant information and become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings.”
Also, “Listen respectfully to those who communicate with the board, seeking to understand their views, while recognizing my responsibility to represent the interests of the entire community.”
She said the policy also talks about modeling civility, coming prepared for meetings, and identifying issues of concern prior to the meeting.
“And something interesting that we haven’t done the past two years, which is to circulate proposed motions 48 hours prior to the meeting,” Koven said.
Koven urged all members to read through both policies.
Lastly she talked about paying attention to speakers during public comment and for guest speakers.
“I find screens super distracting, and that’s why I don’t bring my iPad to meetings,” she said. “I know people like bringing their computers to meetings.”
“But I especially feel like when we have the public speaking, we all should be looking up as much as possible. Sometimes we forget how passionate our speakers are, and how much time and effort they put into their comments. And there has been feedback from the public of feeling like the board is not listening sometimes.”
*Code 9271
9000 Series – Bylaws of the Board
Code of Ethics
Adopted: February 22, 2018
• The success of every school system depends on an effective working relationship between the Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools. This code incorporates those standards and responsibilities most critical to productive Board and Superintendent relations.
• Boards members and Superintendents ensure the opportunity for high quality education for every student and make the wellbeing of students the fundamental goal of all decision-making and actions.
• Board members and Superintendents are staunch advocates of high qualify free public education for all Connecticut children.
• Board members and Superintendents honor all national, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to education and public agencies.
• Board members and Superintendents recognize that clear and appropriate communications are key to the successful operation of the school district.
• Board members and Superintendents will always carry out their respective roles with the highest levels of professionalism, honesty and integrity.
• Board members recognize that they represent the entire community and that they must ensure that the community remains fully informed on school-related matters.
• Superintendents and Board members recognize that the Superintendent serves as the Board of education’s agent and will, in that role, faithfully apply the policies and contracts adopted by the Board.
• Board members adhere to the principle that they shall confine the Board’s role to policy-making, planning and appraisal while the Superintendent shall implement the Board’s policies.
• Board members and Superintendents both recognize that they serve as a part of an educational team with mutual respect, trust, civility and regard for each other’s respective roles and responsibilities.
• Board members are committed to the concept that the strength of the Superintendent is in being the educational leader of the school district.
• Board members and Superintendents practice and promote ethical behavior in the Boardroom as a model for all district employees.
• Board members and Superintendents consider and decide all issues fairly and without bias.
• Board members and the Superintendent shall strictly adhere to the confidentiality of executive session.
• Board members and the Superintendent shall hold confidential all student, personnel and legal matters pertaining to the Greenwich Public schools that if disclosed, might needlessly injure individuals or the Greenwich Public Schools.
(cf. 2000.1 – Board-Superintendent Relationship)
(cf. 2300 – Statement of Ethics for Administrators)
Bylaw adopted by the Greenwich Board of Education: 2/22/2018
*Code 9273
Section 9000 Series – Bylaws of the Board
Title: Expectations for Board Members
Status: Active
Adopted March 25, 2021
Greenwich Public Schools, Greenwich, CT
Bylaws of the Board
As a member of the Greenwich Board of Education, I will strive to improve student achievement in public education, and to that end I will:
• Attend all Board meetings insofar as possible, review relevant information and become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings;
• Recognize my responsibility as an agent of the State to seek the improvement of education throughout the State;
• Focus my attention on fulfilling the Board’s responsibilities of goal setting, policymaking, and evaluation;
• Ensure that all sides have a fair opportunity to present their respective positions;
• Recognize that a board member has no authority as an individual, and that decisions can only be made by a majority vote at a board meeting;
• Ensure that criticism of opposing viewpoints is expressed as criticism of a position, not a person when advocating for a belief or position;
• Arrive at conclusions only after discussing all aspects of the issue at hand with my fellow Board members in a meeting;
• Respect the opinions of others, and abide by each decision of the Board as a whole, regardless of my personal vote;
• Listen respectfully to those who communicate with the board, seeking to understand their views, while recognizing my responsibility to represent the interests of the entire community;
• Strive for a positive working relationship with the superintendent, respecting the superintendent’s authority to advise the board, implement board policy, and administer the district;
• Recognize the importance of an effective governance team;
• Respect the rights of the minority while working toward the will of the majority, and recognize the importance of achieving consensus as an important tool in community- building;
• Work with other Board members to establish effective Board policies and to delegate authority for the administration of the schools to the superintendent;
• Support the employment of those persons best qualified to serve as school staff, and insist on a regular and impartial evaluation of all staff by appropriate supervisors;
• Conduct all business in an open and transparent manner, consistent with the intent and spirit of the open meeting law requirements;
• Respect the confidentiality of information that is privileged under applicable law and refrain from unauthorized disclosure of matters discussed in executive session;
• Model civility to students, employees, and all elements of the community by encouraging the free expression of opinion by all board members and engaging in respectful dialogue with fellow board members on matters being considered by the board.
• Present personal criticism of district operations or of any employee directly to the Superintendent;
• Understand the chain of command and refer problems or complaints to the proper administrative office while refraining from actions that could compromise my ability to act if the issue rises to the board level;
• Take no private action that will compromise the Board and administration;
• Refrain from using the board position for personal or partisan gain and avoid any conflict of interest or the appearance of impropriety;
• Be informed about the duties of school board members and current educational issues through professional development, such as programs sponsored by my state and national school boards associations;
• Remember always that my first and greatest concern must be the educational welfare of the students attending the Greenwich Public Schools.
Meeting Protocol
To ensure that the Board’s meetings are conducted with maximum effectiveness and efficiency, members will:
• come to meetings adequately prepared;
• identify issues of concern before the meeting, whenever possible;
• circulate proposed motions and amendments, whenever possible, at least 48 hours before meeting;
• speak only when recognized;
• not interrupt each other during debate;
• not engage in disruptive and disrespectful side conversations;
• minimize unnecessary repetition;
• not monopolize the discussion;
• address the merits of the issue being discussed without appealing to the biases, prejudices and emotions of the audience;
• support the chair of the meeting’s efforts to facilitate an orderly meeting;
• communicate openly and actively in discussion and dialog to avoid surprises;
• value equal participation of all members;
• practice respectful body language;
• listen actively when other members speak; and
• not surprise or embarrass each other or members of the staff.
(cf. 9005 – Statement of Integrity)
(cf. 9270 – Conflict of Interest)
(cf. 9271 – Code of Ethics)
Bylaw adopted by the Board: 3/25/2021
