Board of Education

WW-P Board of Education

Board of Education Code of Ethics. Click here to read a Code of Ethics presentation.

The role of the School Board member is not to run the schools, but to see that the schools are well run. Boards operate through policy to be effective and efficient, and to avoid appearing to be arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable. All district policies are public documents.

Members of the Board of Education are elected by qualified voters in the communities of West Windsor and Plainsboro Townships. Members are elected to three-year terms and normally three seats are up for election each spring. The Board of Education is composed of four elected representatives from Plainsboro and five elected representatives from West Windsor, all of whom serve without remuneration. The Board selects a president and vice-president. Click here to read the complete policy pertaining to Board membership.

The nine-member Board is committed in principle to the objective that all students have an opportunity for learning that is consistent with each individual's capabilities. It strives to maintain and improve the educational atmosphere in West Windsor-Plainsboro so that all of the youth of the community may meet this objective. The Board of Education acts on any school issue only when the board, as a whole, is in official session.

The public is encouraged to share concerns and comments during the two public discussion portions of the meeting. The operation of the district is strengthened by open communications with the public. Each participant is asked to give his or her name and address prior to making a statement or asking a question of the Board president. There are two public comment sections in the agenda, where the public is invited to address the Board.

The members of the Board of Education recognize that they hold authority not as individuals but as members of the Board. In order to make a clear public statement of its philosophy of service to the pupils of the district, the Board follows a code of ethics:

I will uphold and enforce all laws, state board rules and regulations, and court orders pertaining to schools. Desired changes should be brought about only through legal and ethical procedures.
I will make decisions in terms of the educational welfare of children and will seek to develop and maintain public schools which meet the individual needs of all children regardless of their ability, race, creed, sex or social standing.
I will confine my board action to policymaking, planning and appraisal and I will help to frame policies and plans only after the board has consulted those who will be affected by them.
I will behave toward my fellow board members with the respect due their office, demonstrating courtesy, decorum and fair play at all public meetings and in all public statements.
I will refrain from inappropriate conduct in public meetings and in making public statements, refraining from any disparagement of my fellow board members or others on a personal, social, racial or religious basis.
I will carry out my responsibility, not to administer the schools, but, together with my fellow board members, to see that they are well run.
I will recognize that authority rests with the board of education and will make no personal promises nor take any private action which may compromise the board.
I will refuse to surrender my independent judgment to special interest or partisan political groups or to use the schools for personal gain or for the gain of friends.
I will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools, which, if disclosed, would needlessly injure individuals or the schools. But in all other matters, I will provide accurate information and, in concert with my fellow board members, interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community for its schools.
I will vote to appoint the best qualified personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of the chief school administrator.
I will support and protect school personnel in proper performance of their duties.
I will refer all complaints to the chief school administrator and will act on such complaints at public meetings only after failure of an administrative solution.

West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District

Board of Education

West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District