DeKalb school board toughening ethics policy

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

DeKalb County school board members are working to strengthen their ethics policy to allow board members to punish each other.

The school board took its first look at the new proposed ethics policy Monday night and will vote on it later this month, board chair Tom Bowen told the AJC.

Under the proposed policy, board members can initiate an investigation against another member if they feel the individual violated the district’s code of ethics or conflict of interest policy.

The accused would be allowed to provide evidence to defend themselves at a public hearing. If found guilty, the board could discipline the accused member, including ordering them to apology or contacting law enforcement.

The proposed policy requires board members to be respectful, follow state Open Meetings laws and attend training. It also prohibits board members from withholding information from each other, voting on jobs for their relatives and taking gifts valued at more than $50.

The board has been amending its ethics policy since last fall when Rep. Kevin Levitas (D-Atlanta) pushed for legislation to strengthen ethics laws in DeKalb, Bowen said.