405 - Employee Conduct and Appearance

405 - Employee Conduct and Appearance dawn@iowaschoo… Tue, 09/15/2020 - 15:27

405.1 - Employee Conduct and Appearance

405.1 - Employee Conduct and Appearance

Employees are role models for the students who come in contact with them during and after school hours.  The board recognizes the positive effect employees can have on students in this capacity.  To this end, the board strongly suggests and encourages employees to dress themselves, groom themselves and conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the educational environment.

Employees will conduct themselves in a professional manner.  Employees will act appropriately, professionally, and respectful in their roles as employees of the district.  As role models for the students of the district, employees must recognize that their failure to act appropriately reflects negatively upon them and upon the district.

Employees will dress in attire appropriate for their position.  Clothing should be neat, clean, and in good taste.  Discretion and common sense call for an avoidance of extremes which would interfere with or have an effect on the educational process.

Licensed employees of the school district, including administrators, will follow the code of ethics for their profession as established by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

Approved:  July 25, 2018      
Reviewed: May 23, 2022     
Revised: May 23, 2022                         

 

dawn@iowaschoo… Tue, 09/15/2020 - 15:28

405.1R1 - Employee Conduct and Appearance

405.1R1 - Employee Conduct and Appearance

I.          Commitment to the Student.

The educator measures success by the progress of each student toward realization of potential as a worthy and effective citizen.  The educator therefore works to stimulate the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, and the thoughtful formulation of worthy goals.  In fulfilling obligations to the student, the educator:

  1. Shall not without just cause restrain the student from independent action in a pursuit of learning and shall not without just cause deny the student access to varying points of view.
  1. Shall not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter for which the educator bears responsibility.
  1. Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning or to health and safety.
  1. Shall conduct professional business in such a way that the educator does not expose the student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
  1. Shall not on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, physical or mental handicap, marital status, or national origin exclude any student from participation in or deny the student benefits under any program nor grant any discriminatory consideration or advantage.
  1. Shall not use professional relationships with students for private advantage.
  1. Shall keep in confidence information that has been obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.
  1. Shall not tutor for remuneration students assigned to the educator’s classes, unless no other qualified teacher is reasonably available.

 

II.        Commitment to the Public.

The educator believes that patriotism in its highest form requires dedication to the principles of our democratic heritage.  The educator shares with all other citizens the responsibility for the development of sound public policy and assumes full political and citizenship responsibilities.  The educator bears particular responsibility for the development of policy relating to the extension of educational opportunities for all and for interpreting educational programs and policies to the public.  In fulfilling an obligation to the public, the educator:

  1. Shall not misrepresent an institution or organization with which the educator is affiliated and shall take adequate precautions to distinguish between personal and institutional or organizational views.
  1. Shall not knowingly distort or misrepresent the facts concerning educational matters in direct and indirect public expressions.
  1. Shall not interfere with a colleague’s exercise of political and citizenship rights and responsibilities.
  1. Shall not sue institutional privileges for monetary private gain or to promote political candidates or partisan political activities.
  1. Shall accept no gratuities, gifts, or favors that might impair or appear to impair professional judgment, not offer any favor, service, or thing of value to obtain special advantage.

 

III.       Commitment to the Profession.

The educator believes that the quality of the services of the education profession directly influences the nation and its citizens.  The educator therefore exerts every effort to raise professional standards, to improve service, to promote a climate in which the exercise of professional judgment is encouraged, and to achieve conditions which attract persons worthy of the trust to careers in education.  In fulfilling an obligation to the profession, the educator:

  1. Shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, sex, physical or mental handicap, marital status, or national origin for membership in the profession, nor interfere with the participation or nonparticipation of colleagues in the affairs of their professional associations.
  1. Shall accord just and equitable treatment to all members of the profession in the exercise of their professional rights and responsibilities.
  1. Shall not use coercive means or promise special treatment in order to influence professional decisions of colleagues.
  1. Shall withhold and safeguard information acquired about colleagues in the course of employment, unless disclosure serves professional purposes.
  1. Shall not refuse to participate in a professional inquiry when requested by the commission board.
  1. Shall provide upon the request of the aggrieved party a written statement of specific reason for recommendations that lead to the denial of increments, significant change in employment, or termination of employment.
  1. Shall not misrepresent professional qualifications.
  1. Shall not knowingly distort evaluations of colleagues.

 

IV.       Commitment to Professional Employment Practices.

The educator regards the employment agreement as a pledge to be executed both in spirit and in fact in a manner consistent with the highest ideals of professional service.  The educator believes that sound professional personnel relationships with governing boards are built upon personal integrity, dignity and mutual respect.  The administrator discourages the practice of the profession by unqualified persons.  In fulfilling the obligation to professional employment practices, the educator:

  1. Shall apply for, accept, offer, or assign a position or responsibility on the basis of professional preparation and legal qualifications.
  1. Should recognize salary schedules and the salary clause of an individual teacher’s contract as a binding document on both parties.  The educator should not in anyway violate the terms of the contract.
  1. Shall not knowingly withhold information regarding a position from an applicant or misrepresent an assignment or conditions of employment.
  1. Shall give prompt notice to the employing agency of any change in availability of service, and the employing agent shall give prompt notice of change in availability or nature of a position.
  1. Shall adhere to the terms of a contract or appointment unless these terms have been legally terminated, falsely represented, or substantially altered by unilateral action of the employing agency.
  1. Shall not delegate assigned tasks to unqualified personnel.
  1. Shall use time or funds granted for the purpose for which they were intended.

 

V.        Commitment of Board Members and Staff.

The board members and staff will be independent and impartial and not use the public office for private gain.  In fulfilling their obligation the board employees will not:

  1. Receive any remuneration for services, other than that payable by law.
  1. Solicit, accept or agree to accept any gifts, loans, gratuities, discounts, favors, hospitalities or services from anyone with vested interests in board matters.
  1. Disclose confidential information garnered from official duties.
  1. Solicit, accept or agree to accept compensation contingent upon board actions.
  1. Hold positions, perform duties, or engage in activities not compatible with official capacity.

These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code, chapter 272.

Violation of this policy may be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

 

 

Approved:  July 25, 2018      
Reviewed: July 25, 2018     
Revised: July 25, 2018                           

 

dawn@iowaschoo… Tue, 09/15/2020 - 15:28

405.2 - Professionalism and Courtesy in the Workplace/Communications

405.2 - Professionalism and Courtesy in the Workplace/Communications

To promote professionalism and collegial interaction in the workplace, the board expects its employees to communicate in the workplace in a professional and courteous manner.

Collaborative meetings and discussions among employees about educational issues may involve confidential information.  Such meetings and discussions also are normally most productive and best conducted in an atmosphere of trust and respect.

To engender effective professional communication about educational issues, employees should not record meetings or communications without the knowledge of other participants.  Recording of any professional communication should normally also be done by mutual consent of the parties.

Approved:  July 25, 2018      
Reviewed: May 23, 2022    
Revised: May 23, 2022                         

 

dawn@iowaschoo… Tue, 09/15/2020 - 15:31

405.3 Employee Complaints

405.3 Employee Complaints

Complaints of employees against fellow employees should be discussed directly between employees.

If necessary, complaints will be brought directly to the immediate supervisor, principal or superintendent and will be made in a constructive and professional manner. Complaints will never be made in the presence of other employees, students or outside persons to include social media.

This policy is designed to create an appropriate process for pursuing general employee complaints. Employees wishing to address a complaint on a topic with a more specialized procedure such as master contract grievances, or bullying or harassment claims should follow the appropriate process set forth in the master contract, employee handbook or other board policies specific to that topic.

Approved March 8, 2021
Reviewed My 23, 2022
Revised May 23, 2022

 

vanmetert@rosc… Mon, 03/08/2021 - 15:04

405.4 Dishonesty

405.4 Dishonesty

Employees of the District serve in a position of public trust, are compensated with public funds, and are entrusted with public property. Employee actions and behavior must be honest and above reproach at all times. This work rule requires complete honesty in the discharge of an employee's duties, and, unless otherwise prohibited by law, it applies to all conduct whether the employee is on duty or off duty. 

The conduct which is prohibited by this work rule includes, but is not limited to, the following: 

  1. Making statements to representatives of the District which the employee knows or has reason to believe are untrue, inaccurate, or incomplete. 
  2. Stealing cash, funds, or property of any kind belonging to the District, belonging to a fellow employee, or belonging to other persons who are on District property. 
  3. Failing to report or to transfer to the District any funds or property belonging to the District. 
  4. Unauthorized use, possession or removal of vehicles, property or equipment belonging to the District, belonging to a fellow employee, or belonging to other persons who are on District property. 
  5. Falsification of employment applications or any District records, including, but not limited to, work records and time records. Time record violations include, but are not limited to, claiming time for work which was not performed by the employee and punching/signing another employee in or out. 
  6. Performing official duties in an unauthorized manner. 
  7. Charging items for personal use to a District credit card or account, or making unauthorized withdrawals from a District account using a debit card. 
  8. Misuse or unauthorized use of accounts or allowances (clothing, mileage, meals, etc.). 
  9. Converting surplus District property to personal use without authorization, or declaring property to be surplus or junk and then converting it to personal use. 
  10. Making improper claims for overtime when no overtime was worked, or working slowly to create the need for overtime work. 
  11. Using sick leave, or any other leave of absence, for any purpose which is not authorized. 

Employees who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action, including termination.

Approved March 8, 2021
Reviewed May 23, 2022
Revised May 23, 2022

 

vanmetert@rosc… Mon, 03/08/2021 - 15:05

405.5 Cooperation in Investigations

405.5 Cooperation in Investigations

All employees are required to fully cooperate with any representative of the District who is conducting a work-related investigation. Employees will be disciplined for lying to any representative of the District, or providing information to any representative of the District which is dishonest, misleading, inaccurate, or incomplete. 

Employees will also be disciplined for impeding, obstructing, or failing to cooperate with an inquiry or investigation conducted by any representative of the District. "Obstructing" includes, but is not limited to, threatening, intimidating, or coercing other individuals who may be contacted by a representative of the District, and discouraging other individuals who may be contacted by a representative of the District from responding to or cooperating with the District. "Failing to cooperate" includes, but is not limited to, failing to provide information, documents, or materials requested by a representative of the District, and providing information, documents, or materials to a representative of the District which are dishonest, misleading, inaccurate, or incomplete. 

If an employee is the subject of an investigation, the District will respect the rights afforded to the employee by the Iowa Public Employment Relations Act, the United States Constitution, and any other applicable state or federal law.

Approved March 8, 2021
Reviewed May 23, 2022
Revised May 23, 2022

vanmetert@rosc… Mon, 03/08/2021 - 15:09