CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Some Bradley County teachers and school board members are refusing to sign off on the system’s 3-month-old ethics policy until they get some questions answered.
“It is so vague, it’s scary,” school board member Troy Weathers said at a board meeting Thursday.
The Bradley County Education Association is concerned that the policy conflicts with negotiated agreements and a memorandum of agreement between teachers and the school board.
A letter sent to BCEA members said the wording of the ethics policy is “vague and could lead to false accusations against teachers and support personnel.”
In response to the concerns, board members agreed to have a work session at 5 p.m. Tuesday, when the school board attorney is expected to be present.
The new policy was recommended by a special committee appointed by school board Chairman David Kelley. It included board members Terry McGuire and Charlie Rose as well as retired Judge C. Van Deacon.
It replaced a policy from the Tennessee School Boards Association and covers board members and schools employees.
PDF: Willa letter to member on code of ethics
“I want us to be transparent in everything we do,” Mr. McGuire said. Mr. Rose said he will sign the current policy.
Last week, teachers received assignment notices for the coming school year. The envelope also contained a statement that the board had passed a new ethics code and a signature page for teachers to acknowledge they are bound by the policy. The packets did not include a copy of the actual policy, according to the BCEA.
Mr. Weathers and board member Christy Critchfield, who voted against adopting the policy in February, said they won’t sign it now.
“The only reason I voted against it is because I didn’t understand it,” Mr. Weathers said. “Not that I am against ethics. I have been around 12 years. Every issue we have ever had, we have dealt with very professionally.”
Board member Richard Baker said he wants more information about the policy. Mr. Kelley and board member Mark Grissom were absent.
Ms. Critchfield said veteran teachers who never have been asked to sign off on policy are concerned their signature is just an easy way to get rid of them.
“I know that’s how they feel because they have told me,” she said.
She said the ethics policy should include an Internet policy.
“We’ve had problems with that in the past,” Ms. Critchfield said. Earlier this year, Mr. Kelley and Mr. McGuire signed a letter supporting a county mayor candidate that was distributed to names on the school system’s e-mail list. Some teachers complained they felt pressured to support that candidate.
Willa Smith, BCEA president, said Thursday she is satisfied with the board calling the work session to hear from teachers and others.