Board adopts code of ethics, agrees to draft decorum policy and refer it to policy committee

The Teaneck Board of Education approved its annual code of ethics and instructs the policy committee and legal counsel to draft a formal decorum policy.

At the Jan. 7 reorganization meeting trustees read and adopted the code of ethics required for board members. Trustee Jerry Kirschenbaum proposed adding a provision addressing member deportment at public meetings; the motion called for the drafting of a decorum policy.

Why it matters: The code of ethics and any formal decorum policy set expectations for board conduct, confidentiality for executive-session matters and how trustees interact with staff and the public.

Trustee Jerry Kirschenbaum said the board should “uphold the standards of dignity and deportment at all public meetings” and moved to add such language; trustees discussed whether the language would alter statutory obligations under N.J. Stat. § 18A and whether the policy should be drafted first in the policy committee or by counsel.

After discussion, the board approved item 4 (adoption of the code of ethics) and carried a motion to send the decorum matter to the policy committee for rapid drafting, with direction that counsel prepare a working draft. The motion was seconded and passed by roll call.

Board members said they wanted a policy that could be implemented quickly; several trustees asked that the committee prepare the policy promptly to avoid prolonged delay.

What’s next: The policy committee will draft the proposed decorum policy, legal counsel will prepare suggested language, and the full board will consider the committee’s recommendation at a future meeting.