HomeMy WebLinkAbout5280 Code of Ethics for Idaho Professional EducatorsPERSONNEL 5280
Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 | Policy 5280 | Page 1
CODE OF ETHICS FOR IDAHO PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS
1. Purpose Statement
A. The Board of Trustees recognizes that maintaining high standards of professional
conduct is essential to student safety, effective schools, and public trust. To establish
clear and consistent ethical expectations for District personnel, the Board adopts and
incorporates by reference the current Code of Ethics for Idaho Professional
Educators set forth in IDAPA 08.02.02.076.
i. The District's professional educators are required to comply with the most
current version of the Code of Ethics provided in IDAPA 08.02.02.076.
ii. The Board also requires all classified employees and volunteers of the
District to comply with the Code of Ethics to the extent applicable to their
work. Violation of the Code of Ethics or this policy may result in disciplinary
action up to and including termination of employment or volunteer service
with the District.
2. Requirements for Reporting, Investigation, and Referrals
A. A professional educator who has knowledge of a violation of the Code of Ethics for
Idaho Professional Educators shall promptly report the violation to an appropriate
District education official. For purposes of this policy, District education officials
include the Superintendent or designee, District-level administrators, principals,
assistant principals, and school resource officers.
B. Allegations of violations of the Code of Ethics brought to the attention of District
administrative staff shall be promptly referred to the Superintendent or designee and
reviewed or investigated as appropriate.
i. If an allegation involves suspected abuse, abandonment, or neglect of a
child, the reporting requirements of Board Policy 5260 shall apply.
ii. Reporting an allegation to a supervisor or other District education official does
not replace an individual employee's responsibility to make any report
required by law or Board Policy 5260.
iii. The District shall not conduct an internal review or investigation of alleged
abuse, abandonment, or neglect of a child in lieu of reporting to local law
enforcement or the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. After the
required report has been made, the District may conduct an internal review or
investigation and take appropriate administrative or employment action.
C. If information obtained through a review or investigation indicates that a certificated
employee may have violated the Code of Ethics, the District may file a complaint with
the Professional Standards Commission and may initiate disciplinary action up to
and including dismissal of the certificated employee.
D. The Superintendent or designee shall, within ten (10) days of the date employment is
severed, report to the chief officer of teacher certification the circumstances and the
name of any educator who is dismissed, resigns, or is otherwise severed from
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employment for reasons that could constitute grounds for revocation, suspension, or
denial of an educator certificate.
E. In addition to the reporting requirement above, any resignation during an
investigation, or in lieu of contemplated disciplinary action, termination, or
administrative leave that occurs during an investigation of misconduct by a covered
individual, shall be referred to the Idaho Professional Standards Commission if the
covered individual holds an Idaho educator certificate.
i. A report or referral to the Professional Standards Commission does not
replace any report required to be made to law enforcement, the Idaho
Department of Health and Welfare, or another governmental agency.
3. Definitions
A. "Covered individual" means any school personnel;
B. "Misconduct" means conduct that violates Idaho Code §33-1208 relating to educator-
student relationships or the provisions of the Code of Ethics for Idaho Professional
Educators relating to educator-student relationships.
4. Legal References
A. Idaho Code §33-145 - Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act
B. Idaho Code §33-1208 - Revocation, Suspension, Denial, or Placement of
Reasonable Conditions on Certificate-Grounds
C. Idaho Code §33-1208A - Reporting Requirements and Immunity
D. Idaho Code §33-1209 - Proceedings Regarding Educator Certificates
E. IDAPA 08.02.02.076 - Code of Ethics for Idaho Professional Educators
F. IDAPA 08.02.02.077 - Definitions for Use with the Code of Ethics for Idaho
Professional Educators
5. Cross References
A. 5100 - Hiring Process and Criteria
B. 5215 - Grounds for Revocation of a Certificate
C. 5240 - Professional Conduct
D. 5260 - Reporting Abuse, Abandonment, or Neglect
6. Adoption and Revision History
A. Adopted: 11-03-2004
B. Reviewed: 04-11-2012
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C. Revised: 04-08-2015; 10-14-2026