The Code of Ethics expresses the personal ideals which the Board believes should guide each Board member's activities. Each Board member will sign the Code of Ethics upon being seated following their election or appointment to the Board. A Code of Ethics document will be signed annually by each Board member.

An individual Board member should be constantly aware that he/she has no special legal authority except when acting as a member of the Board when it is duly convened in a meeting or as authorized by the Board to perform an action.

Board members shall present their concerns and concepts through the process of Board debate and shall be respectful when opinions are shared which differ from their own. Once deliberations are concluded and a final action made by majority vote, that decision constitutes the decision of the Board. No individual member shall take any action to impede effective implementation of a majority decision other than through proper channels of reconsideration or other actions allowed by the adopted rules of procedure.

Whenever a Board member believes that another has violated the Code of Ethics or Standards of Conduct, it is incumbent on him or her to bring the issue to the subject member first. If the concern is not resolved, the Board member may then bring the issue to the president of the Board, who shall immediately investigate the allegation including discussing it with the person alleged to have violated the code or standards. If the president believes the allegation is substantiated by credible evidence and is not resolved with the individual member, the president may bring the issue to the full Board for discussion. Before convening into executive session to discuss the allegation, the individual member shall be given the opportunity to request that the discussion be held in public. If the individual member requests a public discussion, the Board may not convene into executive session to discuss the allegations against the Board member.

The Board may consider formal action against a member violating the provisions of this policy as allowed by law and including:

• Verbal reprimand from Board in private

• Written reprimand

• Censure

• Removal from a Board committee or removal from any Board officer's position.