Hickman County Board of Education
Descriptor Term:
Descriptor Code:
Issued Date:
5.600
03/06/23
Staff Rights & Responsibilities
Rescinds:
Issued:
5.600
11/02/20
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In fulfilling any citizenship rights and responsibilities, employees shall give proper consideration to the
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educational welfare of students and ensure that no conflict exists with their actual duties.
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Each staff member has the right to:
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1. A work environment free from sexual, racial, ethnic, and religious discrimination/harassment; 1
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2. Academic freedom within the confines of state law and board policy in order to create an
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atmosphere of freedom in the classroom;
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Educators have the right to:²
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1. Be treated with civility and respect as well as having his/her professional judgement and
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discretion respected;
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2. Report any errant, offensive, or abusive content or behavior of a student to the principal and/or
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appropriate agencies;
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3. Provide students with a safe environment;
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4. Defend themselves and their students from physical violence or harm;³
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5. Share information regarding a student's educational experience, health, or safety with the
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student's parent(s)/guardian(s) unless otherwise prohibited;4
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6. Review all instructional material or curriculum before being utilized by students; and
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7. Not be required to use his/her personal money to appropriately equip a classroom.
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8. Report students who commit offenses of assault and battery or vandalism on school property
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endangering the life, health, or safety of others pursuant to state law;⁵ and
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9. Receive benefits in accordance with state law if the educator is a teacher who is on leave due to
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a physical assault or other violent criminal act committed during the course of employment.⁶
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Each staff member has the responsibility to:
Version Date: June 14, 2023
Staff Rights & Responsibilities
5.600
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1. Make themselves familiar with and abide by, the laws of the state as these affect their work,
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the policies of the board and the procedures designed to implement them;
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2. To adhere to the Teacher Code of Ethics; 7
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3. Exercise good judgment in selecting issues for discussion and balance the relative maturity of
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students and the students' right to know;
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4. Be courteous and helpful in interacting and responding to parents, visitors and members of the
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public;
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5. Keep all records and prepare and submit promptly all reports that may be required by state law,
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state board regulations, board policy and administrative procedures; and
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6. Wear appropriate dress for work according to board guidelines and local school rules.
Legal References
Cross References
1.
42 USCA § 2000e-2(a), (b); TCA 49-6-8004
Curriculum Development 4.200
2.
TCA 49-5-209; Public Acts of 2023, Chapter No. 153
Controversial Issues 4.800
3.
TCA 49-6-2802
Religious Content of Courses 4.804
Page 2 of 3
Staff Rights & Responsibilities
5.600
4.
20 USCA § 1232g
Staff-Student Relations 5.610
5.
TCA 49-6-4301
Ethics 5.611
6.
TCA 49-5-714
7.
TCA 49-5-1001 et seq.
Page 3 of 3

## Table 1

|  | Hickman County Board of | Education |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | Descriptor Term: Staff Rights & Responsibilities | Descriptor Code: 5.600 | Issued Date: 03/06/23 |
|  |  | Rescinds: 5.600 | Issued: 11/02/20 |

## Table 2

| 1 2 | 1. Make themselves familiar with and abide by, the laws of the state as these affect their work, the policies of the board and the procedures designed to implement them; |
| --- | --- |
| 3 | 2. To adhere to the Teacher Code of Ethics; 7 |
| 4 5 | 3. Exercise good judgment in selecting issues for discussion and balance the relative maturity of students and the students' right to know; |
| 6 7 | 4. Be courteous and helpful in interacting and responding to parents, visitors and members of the public; |
| 8 9 | 5. Keep all records and prepare and submit promptly all reports that may be required by state law, state board regulations, board policy and administrative procedures; and |
| 10 | 6. Wear appropriate dress for work according to board guidelines and local school rules. |