Board Bylaws 1-4: Board Member Expectations

I. Introduction

This Board Rule reviews the expectations of Board Members, including the taking of the Oath of Office, participation in Board Member training and development activities, and conditions and procedures for Board Member removal from office.

II. Oath of Office

• Oath

  Prior to taking a seat on the Board of Education, Board Members shall take the Chicago Board of Education Oath of Office that provides the following:

  I, (name of Board Member), do solemnly swear that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of member of the Board of Education of the City of Chicago, in accordance with the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and all applicable federal and state laws, to the best of my ability.

  I further swear that:

  • I shall respect taxpayer interests by serving as a faithful protector of the school District's assets;
  • I shall encourage and respect the free expression of opinion by my fellow Board Members and others who seek a hearing before the Board, while respecting the privacy of students and employees;
  • I shall recognize that a Board Member has no legal authority as an individual and that decisions can be made only by a vote at a public board meeting;
  • I shall abide by decisions of the Board, while retaining the right to seek changes in such decisions through ethical and constructive channels;
  • I shall avoid any conflict of interest or the appearance of impropriety which could result from my position, and will not use my Board membership for personal gain or publicity;
  • I shall foster with the Board extensive participation of the community, formulate goals, define outcomes, and set the course for Chicago Public Schools;
  • I shall assist in establishing a structure and an environment designed to ensure all students have the opportunity to attain their maximum potential through a sound organizational framework;
  • I shall strive to ensure a continuous assessment of student achievement and all conditions affecting the education of our children, in compliance with State law;
  • I shall serve as a key advocate on behalf of students and our community's schools to advance the vision for Chicago Public Schools; and
  • I shall strive to work together with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the school District toward fulfilling the vision the Board has created, fostering excellence for every student in the areas of student learning and well-being, as well as healthy, safe, engaging, and academically challenging school experiences, that prepare each student for college, career, and civic life.

• Administration of the Oath of Office

  1. Each Board Member must sign and submit the Oath of Office to the Board Secretary by the first day of the term to which the Board Member is appointed or elected.
  2. Each Board Member taking office shall either read the Oath during an open meeting and swear or affirm to follow it as indicated in the Oath, or a group of Board Members or entire Board may take the Oath simultaneously.
  3. The Oath shall be administered at Board Member’s first public Board Meeting meeting by the Board President, Secretary of the Board, or a designee.
  4. The Board shall maintain on the Board website each Board Member’s signed and submitted Oath of Office.

III. Board Member Training and Development

• Generally

  In order for the Board to fulfill its responsibilities, individual Board Members must learn, understand, and practice effective governance principles. A critical step in achieving this goal is the establishment of a comprehensive new Board Member training and professional development program to help Board Members become effective and to promote a high-functioning team. The Board President may authorize additional training to be included in the Board Member Mandatory Training.

• Board Member Training

  1. Domain A: Board Powers and Duties, which shall include, but not be limited to:
     • Board Members must take the Chicago Board of Education Oath of Office at their first public Board Meeting, and sign and submit the Oath of Office and agreement with Board Operating Procedures Manual in accordance with Board Rule 1-2.II.C.
     • Each Board Member must complete training on the Open Meetings Act no later than ninety (90) days after taking the Oath of Office. After completing the training, each Board Member must file a copy of the certificate of completion with the Board Secretary. Training on the Open Meetings Act is only required once.
     • Each Board Member shall receive training on, and be given a copy of, the powers of the Chicago Board of Education granted through state and federal laws and Board Rules and Policies.
     • Each Board Member shall, within ninety (90) days of taking the Oath of Office, and annually thereafter, receive training on the Board of Education Code of Ethics.
     • Each Board Member shall, within ninety (90) days of taking the Oath of Office, and annually thereafter, complete the Illinois Mandated Reporter Training.
     • Each Board Member shall, within ninety (90) days of taking the Oath of Office, and annually thereafter, complete training on harassment, discrimination, and reporting policies, and other relevant training.
     • Each Board Member shall be provided training on budget and revenues, education theory and governance, governmental relations, school-based management, and state and federal education law and regulations pursuant to 105 ILCS 5/34-3.2. Board Members shall also be provided training regarding trauma-informed practices for students and staff.
     • Additional mandatory training as required by the Board President and applicable laws and Board Rules and Policies.
  2. Domain B: Board Business, which shall include, but not be limited to:
     • Parliamentary procedure in accordance with Board Rule 1-7.II.C, the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, and other Board Rules, Policies, and procedures established by the Board President.
     • Each Board Member must be given a copy of the latest edition of the Board of Education Board Rules.
     • Each Board Member shall receive training on the agenda preparation and formulation process.
     • Board Members will review the Board Operating Procedures Manual during orientation and will acknowledge in writing that they have been trained on and will agree to abide by the Manual during their tenure.
     • Additional mandatory training as required by the Board President and applicable laws and Board Rules and Policies.
  3. Domain C: Board Member Organizational Responsibilities and Relationships, which shall include, but not be limited to:
     • Organizational Meeting of the Board of Education, including but not limited to, the election and powers of its officers.
     • Oversight and evaluation of the direct reports of the Board.
     • Each Board Member must complete a training on personnel dismissals that require Board approval, such as contract principals, tenured teachers, pre-tenured teachers, educational support personnel, paraprofessional and school related personnel, and other personnel decisions. Board Members must complete the training program before participating in a vote on dismissal of personnel.
     • Board Members’ role within the appointments to the Appointed Local School Councils (ALSCs) and Local School Councils (LSCs).
     • Other training as directed by the Board President that supports the Board’s organizational responsibilities.
  4. Domain D: District Oversight, which shall include, but not be limited to:
     • Board and District Goals, Vision, and Strategic Plan
     • School Performance
     • District and School Finance
     • Instructional Program
     • Portfolio of school options, such as District, charter, contract, and Options schools
     • District personnel
     • District’s approach to, and protocols for, equity and community engagement
     • Immediate decisions before the Board
     • Collective Bargaining Agreements
     • Other trainings as directed by the Board President that support District oversight

IV. Board Member Removal from Office

In the event that the Board determines that a Board Member has committed any of the acts detailed in Board Rule 1-4.IV.A to D when the Member, acting in an official capacity, or in a capacity as a special government agent, the Board may adopt a resolution either (a) recommending that the Mayor remove the Board Member from the Board (for any Board Member that is serving by appointment of the Mayor), or (b) referring the matter to the Cook County State’s Attorney and Office of the Attorney General for prosecution or removal. To adopt such a resolution, two-thirds of the members of the Board must vote in favor of it.

• Failure to Act

  Intentionally or recklessly fails to perform any mandatory duty as required by law, including, but not necessarily limited to:

  1. Refusal to cooperate with an investigation conducted by the Office of Inspector General, pursuant to 105 ILCS 5/34-13.1(d);
  2. Failure to comply with the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, 325 ILCS 5/1 et seq.;
  3. Failure to cooperate with the Board’s efforts to obtain criminal history records check and a Statewide Sex Offender Database, pursuant to 105 ILCS 5/34-18.5(d);
  4. Failure to file a Statement of Economic Interest, pursuant to Art. XIII, Sect. 2 of the Illinois Constitution and the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act, 5 ILCS 420/3A, et seq.;

  or,

• Forbidden Acts

  Knowingly performs an act which they know is forbidden by law, including but not necessarily limited to:

  1. Conviction for a felony, bribery, perjury of an infamous crime, as defined by 5 ILCS 280/1;
  2. Holding an interest in a contract with the Board that is inconsistent with the terms of 105 ILCS 5/10-9, et seq.;
  3. Disclose confidential information pertaining to a student in violation of the Illinois Student School Records Act, 105 ILCS 10/1, et seq., and/or the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g;
  4. Violation of the Article 29 of the Election Code of the State of Illinois, 10 ILCS 5/29-1, et seq.;
  5. Willful violation of 105 ILCS 5/34-43 through 34-51, as prohibited by 105 ILCS 5/34-52;

  or,

• Self Dealing

  With intent to obtain a personal advantage for themselves or another, they perform an act in excess of their lawful authority;

  or,

• Bribery

  Solicits or knowingly accepts for the performance of any act a fee or reward which they know is not authorized by law. This provision is inclusive of, but not necessarily limited to, violations of the following provisions of the Illinois Criminal Code: 720 ILCS 5/33-1 through 33-7, 720 ILCS 5/29-1 and 720 ILCS 5/29A‑1.