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Code of Conduct
​​​Trustee and Employee Code of Conduct (Policy ACF)

Introduction

Every school board trustee and employee of St. James-Assiniboia School Division (SJASD) is responsible at all times for their professional and ethical conduct. They must conduct themselves with the highest degree of integrity, responsibility and accountability.

The St. James-Assiniboia School Division is one of the cornerstones of a proudly diverse community. School climate, fiscal stewardship and success beyond graduation are also paramount. Every child, no matter income, race, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation or identity, is deserving of a quality public education.

The St. James-Assiniboia School Division Values and Ethical Practices Code (Code) is a requirement under The Public Service Act. It outlines the values and expected behaviours of Manitoba's broader public service as stated in Part 2, Sections 4 and 5 of the Act. The Code promotes respect, civility, and responsibility and sets clear standards of behaviour for members of the school community who provide services to the public.

Application

Adherence to the Code is a requirement for all SJASD school board trustees and employees.

The Code is not intended to replace, but rather complement, existing policies and administrative procedures. Trustees and employees are expected to follow all other policies, administrative procedures, or mandates that affect the unique responsibilities of their position.

Values for an Ethical and Effective Public Service

The Code is founded on the values for an ethical public service, as described in Part 2, Sections 4 and 5 of The Public Service Act. These values provide a common framework to guide the public service in serving the public in an ethical manner. The following are the values for an ethical public service, including some examples of how these values are demonstrated through the actions and behaviours of employees.

Respect for Others

Treat others with respect, courtesy and dignity, and value the diversity of their fellow employees and the public we serve by being open to the exchange of different perspectives and ideas. Treat others equitably, with fairness and honesty, and remain committed to fostering workplaces free of discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and bullying.

Integrity

Exhibit honesty, integrity, consistency and impartiality while maintaining the highest standards of personal and professional conduct. Do not conduct yourself in a manner that would reflect adversely on the SJASD. To ensure behaviour that is within the public interest, conflicts must be resolved in the public interest; confidentiality of information will be maintained; sensitive information handled appropriately and discreetly; and conduct is done in a non-partisan manner.

​Accountability

Serve the needs, interests, and expectations of the people of SJASD. Further to this, those it applies to should demonstrate leadership and take responsibility for decisions and actions. It is imperative they are fiscally responsible and are careful stewards of public resources.

Skill and Dedication

To provide high quality and prompt service, those it applies to must give their best to meet performance standards and organizational requirements. They must be open to continual learning and innovation, and must promote excellence through reflection and by maintaining and improving their knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies, as well as assist in enhancing those of their colleagues.

Service

To provide high quality service, those it applies to must provide services fairly, reliably and competently. They should focus on quality and outcomes to achieve performance standards, and be transparent to enable public scrutiny.

Collaboration

Invite teamwork and collaboration to maximize strategic investment in delivering services. Engage and collaborate with the public to provide the opportunity to inform, develop and implement services; and advance reconciliation through concrete and constructive partnerships with Indigenous peoples.

Innovation

Be flexible and creative in the delivery of public services so as to adapt quickly and effectively to changes in priorities and needs of the public. Engage in strategic and predictive decision-making; and experiment and measure results to identify opportunities for new responses to complex problems.

Sustainability

Exercise skill and judgement in the use of public resources in delivering services, and continually evaluate services to determine if those services are meeting the needs of the public in an efficient and responsive manner.

Action Plan and Expected Behaviours

St. James-Assiniboia School Division board of trustees and employees demonstrate the values for an ethical public service through their actions and behaviours. The expected behaviours, actions, and procedures are detailed in the Policies and Administrative Procedures of the Division. Professional development on all levels is provided to contribute and enhance the development of the necessary judgement and skills enabling school board trustees and employees in the Division to apply ethical principles in concrete circumstances.

Policies and administrative procedures are available on the St. James-Assiniboia School Division website sjasd.ca. Applicable policies and administrative procedures are listed below.

Foundation and Basic Commitment Policies

AC Respect for Human Diversity

ACE Accessibility

AD Educational Philosophy Mission

ADF Sustainable Development Practices

AG Board Governance Framework

BBBA Duties of the Board

BC Trustee Code of Conduct

DA Fiscal Management Goals

DBC Division Budget Process

DD Fundraising

DIA School Funds

DIE Audit

DJA Purchasing Authority

DK Payment Procedures

DNB Sale or Disposal of Fixed Assets

GBAA Respectful Workplace

GBAC Staff Discipline

GBEB Code of Conduct for Child Protection

GBEF Employee Use of Technology and Electronic Communication

GBJA Access and Privacy in St. James-Assiniboia School Division

GCN Evaluation of Professional Staff

GCNB Administrator Evaluation

GDI Support Staff Probation and Evaluation

IHBA Appropriate Educational Programming

KA School Community Relations

Supporting Regulations

AC-R Respect for Human Diversity

ACE-E-1 Employee Safety During Emergencies

ACE-E-2 Individualized Employee Response Plan

ACE-R Customer Service Standard Regulation

ACE-R-2 Accessible Employment Standard Regulation

ADF-R Sustainable Development Practices

AG-A Board Governance Framework Appendix Board Self Evaluation

BC-A Trustee Code of Conduct Appendix Board Confidentiality/Request for Employee Personal Information

BC-E-1 Board Member Statement of Integrity Agreement

BC-E-2 Board Member Pledge of Confidentiality

BDD-A Board Superintendent Secretary-Treasurer CFO Relationship Appendix General Board and Administration Constraints

DJB-R-2 Purchasing Procedures

GBAA-R Respectful Workplace

GBEF-R Employee Use of Technology and Electronic Communication

GBJA-E-1 Access and Privacy, Pledge of Confidentiality


Student Code of Conduct (Policy JK)

One of the goals of the St. James-Assiniboia School Division is to provide a safe, secure and caring learning environment, which fosters students’ personal growth, self-respect, and a sense of belonging and prepares them to be responsible citizens. The Public Schools Act (PSA) requires the principal of each school, in consultation with the school’s parent advisory committee/council, to establish a school code of conduct for students and staff. The school code of conduct must be consistent with the Provincial Code of Conduct: Appropriate Interventions and Disciplinary Consequences. The principals must ensure that the school’s Code of Conduct is reviewed annually by October 31 of each year.

As per the Provincial Code of Conduct: Appropriate Interventions and Disciplinary Consequences all schools are expected to engage in preventative practices—through the use of instruction and programs that focus on social responsibility and positive behaviour. This will assist in developing positive school climate with a collaborative school-wide approach to preventing and addressing challenging behaviours.

The St. James-Assiniboia School Division recognizes that disciplinary measures may be necessary when other approaches to challenging behaviour have not been successful. In these situations interventions and disciplinary consequences may have to be implemented. Interventions and consequences must be consistent with the Provincial Code of Conduct and must take into consideration the frequency, severity of the unacceptable behaviour and the student’s age and stage of development. Reasonable accommodation for students who have exceptional learning needs must be considered and also take into account the student’s ability to comply and the amount of support required.

Provincial Regulation: Appropriate Disciplinary Consequences in Schools states that the principal has disciplinary authority

• over the conduct of students while they are at school

• over students in terms of their conduct towards one another on their way to and from school, and while travelling to and from school on division transportation and while on school-prescribed activities

• to address unacceptable student conduct including bullying, cyber bullying and abuse of a student by another

• to determine which consequence is appropriate in a given situation.

Principals will administer such discipline as might be exercised by a kind, firm and judicious parent. Discipline should at all times be administered with dignity and professional judgment in order to promote and maintain student self-respect, self-discipline and hold students accountable for unacceptable behaviour. Working to develop a safe and positive school climate is a shared responsibility that will involve cooperation between the school and parents. The school will notify parents/guardians of situations involving their child in disciplinary situations. Parents are encouraged to contact their school any time they have a concern regarding a disciplinary matter.

Appeals of Disciplinary Decisions

Every school code of conduct must include a process to appeal a disciplinary decision. Students and parents must follow the appeal process. This involves an appeal to the teacher who made the disciplinary decision, then to the school principal if not resolved, then to the superintendent of schools if not resolved, and finally to the Board of Trustees. Exceptions are suspensions in excess of five days and expulsions; in these cases, the appeal goes directly to the Board of Trustees.

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