Canyons School Board tables code of ethics plan amid disagreement

Prior to tabling the proposed code, Cowdell asked the board's legal counsel to examine the state statute in relation to the removal of elected officers. He said there was no need to rush a decision on a new code of ethics and added that he would feel more comfortable if the section on removal of officers was reworked and clarified.

Chad Iverson, a candidate for the Canyons School Board contacted the board Tuesday with his concerns about the code of ethics and also spoke during the public comment portion of Tuesday's meeting. He said the majority of the code was a step in the right direction but that two provisions – communication with district employees and removal of officers – lacked clarity and were potentially troublesome.

"I think there needs to be more discussion," he said.

Iverson said he has attended other meetings where the code was discussed and that the same objections seem to have been raised by the same individuals. He said he didn't know for sure about the legality of the board removing its own members, but added that barring board members from communicating with district employees would hamper their ability to represent their constituents and evaluate the performance of district administrators. 

He said the Canyons School Board and the district leadership does not function the way it should.

"The superintendent should answer to the board and the board should answer to the public," he said.

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