The vast majority of Utah's 26,000 public school teachers have nothing to fear from a proposed ethics policy under consideration by the Utah State Board of Education. That's because they already are terrific role models, and they understand that they occupy a position of trust with respect to their students.

But some — albeit few — teachers do not respect those boundaries. Some have inappropriate sexual contact with students. Others use their positions to further their personal business interests. Still others — outside of school time — commit criminal offenses. Should they be subject to losing their teaching certificates or be subject to discipline for this misconduct? Yes, they should.

The state school board should press ahead with a proposed ethics policy for public school teachers. The state school board should clearly spell out its expectations in this regard. Teachers spend a minimum of 180 days a year with their charges. They should have clear guidelines for appropriate and ethical behavior.

The policy, two years in the making, also would improve the screening of prospective teachers and substitute teachers. Presently, they are subject to criminal background checks and must be fingerprinted as a condition of employment. Under the proposed policy, they also would be required to explain in a letter any prior criminal offenses and provide police reports upon request.

While some teachers may balk at an ethics policy, the fact of the matter is that teachers who are subject to disciplinary action have due process rights. That won't change under this policy. But the proposed policy is proscriptive in nature. As Carol Lear, state director of school law and legislation, told the Deseret Morning News, "It is a major shift (to say) if you do this stuff, there shall be discipline," rather than "sin no more."

There very few teachers who conduct themselves in such a manner that their misconduct is referred to the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission, which conducts disciplinary hearings and refers its findings to the state school board. That speaks well of Utah's education profession. But those who commit criminal offenses or violate ethics rules should be subject to appropriate discipline or weeded out before they obtain a teaching license. This proposed ethics policy would aid in both regards.