Hickman County Board of Education
Descriptor Code:
Issued Date:
Descriptor Term:
1.106
04/03/23
Code of Ethics
Rescinds:
Issued:
1.106
08/02/21
1
General¹
2
Board members and school district employees may not accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, money,
3
gratuity, consideration, or favor that a reasonable person would understand was intended to influence
4
the vote, official action, or judgment of the board member or employee in executing decisions
5
affecting the school district. It is also prohibited for a board member's or an employee's spouse or
6
child living in the same household to accept such items.
7
It shall not be considered a violation of this policy for a board member or employee to receive
8
entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, health screenings, amenities, food, or beverages that are
9
provided in connection with a conference sponsored by an established or recognized statewide
10
association of school board officials or by an umbrella or affiliate organization of such statewide
11
association of school board officials.
12
ETHICS COMPLAINTS
13
The Board may create a School District Ethics Committee (Ethics Committee), consisting of three (3)
14
members who will be appointed to one-year terms by the Board Chair with confirmation by the Board.
15
At least two (2) members of the committee shall be members of the Board. The Ethics Committee shall
16
convene as soon as practicable after its appointment and elect a Chair and a Secretary. The records of
17
the Ethics Committee shall be maintained by the Secretary and shall be filed in the Director of
18
Schools' office, where they shall be open to public inspection.
19
Questions and complaints regarding violations of this Code of Ethics shall be directed to the Chair of
20
the Ethics Committee. Complaints shall be in writing, signed by the person making the complaint, and
21
include details as to the facts surrounding the complaint.
22
The Ethics Committee may investigate an ethical complaint received against a board member or
23
employee and make recommendations to cease any activity that, in the Ethics Committee's judgment,
24
constitutes a violation of this Code of Ethics. If a member of the Ethics Committee is the subject of a
25
complaint, the member shall recuse himself/herself from all proceedings involving the complaint.
26
The Ethics Committee may:
27
1. Refer the matter to the board attorney;
28
29
2. In the case of a board member, refer the matter to the Board of Education for possible public
30
censure, if warranted;
31
Version Date: June 12, 2023
Code of Ethics
1.106
1
3. In the case of an employee, refer the matter to the Director of Schools/designee for possible
2
disciplinary action, if warranted; or
3
4
4. In a case involving possible violation of state statutes, refer the matter to the district attorney
5
for possible ouster or criminal prosecution.
6
7
8
POINT OF CONTACT2
9
The Board Chair shall serve as the point of contact for the Tennessee Ethics Commission. The
10
Director of Schools shall provide the contact information to the Commission and ensure that any
11
changes are submitted within thirty (30) calendar days.
12
Legal References
Cross References
1.
TCA 8-17-103
Board Member Conflict of Interest 1.107
2.
Public Acts of 2023, Chapter No. 37
Duties of Board Members 1.202
Page 2 of 2

## Table 1

|  | Hickman County Board of | Education |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | Descriptor Term: Code of Ethics | Descriptor Code: 1.106 | Issued Date: 04/03/23 |
|  |  | Rescinds: 1.106 | Issued: 08/02/21 |