3210 - STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT

The Board hereby establishes the ethical and disciplinary principles set forth in the Florida Administrative Code as the Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida as the District’s standards of ethical conduct and requires all staff members to adhere to them.

No staff member shall have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect; engage in any business transaction or professional activity; or incur any obligation of any nature that is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his/her duties in the public interest.

No staff member shall solicit or accept anything of value, including a gift, loan, reward, promise of future employment, favor, or service, based upon an understanding that the vote, official action, or judgment of the administrator would be influenced thereby.

Stolen Valor

Board employees shall not knowingly misrepresent military service for material gain as set forth in F.S. 112.3131. These prohibitions include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
 

1. misrepresenting by making false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations, directly or indirectly, that they are or were: 
    
   1. a service member or veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States;
       
   2. the recipient of a decoration, medal, title, or honor from the Armed Forces of the United States or otherwise related to military service, including, but not limited to those listed in F.S. 112.3131;
       
   3. a holder of an awarded qualification or military occupational specialty, including, but not limited to, any of those listed in F.S. 112.3131; or,
       
   4. that they actively served in the Armed Forces of the United States during a wartime era, regardless of whether there was a declared war, or served in combat operations in a warzone, or were a prisoner of war.
       
2. wearing the uniform or any medal or insignia authorized for use by members or veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States which they are not authorized to wear.

“Material gain” means anything of value, regardless of whether the value is monetary, remunerative, or tangible, which is received by or given to, or is intended to be received by or given to, an individual. The term includes, but is not limited to, food, lodging, compensation, travel expenses, placards, public benefits, public relief, financial relief, obtaining or retaining employment or a promotion in such individual’s current employment or public employment, including gaining a position in state or local government with authority over another person, regardless of whether the individual receives compensation or renumeration for their service in the position; obtaining or retaining state or local public office through election or appointment; or any thing in which or for which a tangible benefit was gained, even if the value of such benefit is de minimis.

Violations are subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. 

All staff members shall be required to complete training on the standards established herein upon employment and annually thereafter. 

Revised 4/12/05
Revised 4/28/09
Revised 10/28/14
Revised 5/9/23
Revised 10/28/25

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