CLEVELAND, Tenn. — The wording of an ethics policy was changed Thursday evening by the Bradley County Board of Education to relieve concerns from many teachers and some board members.
Two sentences that some interpreted as requiring all school system employees, as well as board members, to sign the new policy were deleted.
The policy now states that “all teachers, staff members, volunteers and those associated with Bradley County Schools” are bound under the policy, but does not require their signatures.
Board Chairman David Kelley and Director of Schools Johnny McDaniel said mandatory signing never was the intention. The policy does cover everyone employed in the school system, however.
“I never interpreted it” that current employees could be required to sign that way,” board attorney Chuck Cagle said during a work session earlier. He said new hires could be required to sign as a condition of employment.
Mr. McDaniel said the idea of requiring signatures “was to make them aware that this code of ethics had been enacted,”
He noted the state Legislature recently adopted a state code of ethics for teachers, too.
“I think that speaks to the forward thinking of this board,” Mr. McDaniel said.
Ethics Committee Chairman Terry McGuire, a board member, reported that only one complaint had been filed since the committee’s creation five months ago. That accusation was reviewed and found to have “insufficient evidence of wrongdoing.”
The complaint will remain on file for one year and then be destroyed if no new evidence is made available.
Mr. McGuire was absent but his report was read by Mr. Kelley.
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