100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB4768
 
Introduced , by Rep. Barbara Wheeler
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 

 
105 ILCS 5/10-16.5

     Amends the School Code. Adds to the oath of office required of a school board member before taking his or her seat on the board.
  


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A BILL FOR
 

  
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1    AN ACT concerning education.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended  by changing Section 
510-16.5 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/10-16.5)
7    Sec. 10-16.5. Oath of office. Each school board member, 
8before taking his or her seat on the board, shall take an oath 
9of office, administered as determined by the board, in 
10substantially the following form:
11        I, (name of member or successful candidate), do 
12    solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge 
13    the duties of the office of member of the Board of 
14    Education (or Board of School Directors, as the case may 
15    be) of (name of school district), in accordance with the 
16    Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the 
17    State of Illinois, and the laws of the State of Illinois, 
18    to the best of my ability.
19        I further swear (or affirm) that:
20        I shall respect taxpayer interests by serving as a 
21    faithful protector of the school district's assets;

22        I shall encourage and respect the free expression of 
23    opinion by my fellow board members and others who seek a 
 
 
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1    hearing before the board, while respecting the privacy of 
2    students and employees;
3        I shall recognize that a board member has no legal 
4    authority as an individual and that decisions can be made 
5    only by a majority vote at a public board meeting; and
6        I shall abide by majority decisions of the board, while 
7    retaining the right to seek changes in such decisions 
8    through ethical and constructive channels; .
9        I shall accept the responsibility that I am both 
10    morally and legally responsible for the equitable and 
11    quality education of every student in the school district;
12        I shall, with extensive participation of the 
13    community, formulate the goals, define the outcomes, and 
14    set the course for (name of school district);
15        I shall assist in establishing a structure and an 
16    environment designed to ensure all students have the 
17    opportunity to attain their maximum potential through a 
18    sound organizational framework;
19        I shall ensure a continuous assessment of student 
20    achievement and all conditions affecting the education of 
21    our children;
22        I shall serve as education's key advocate on behalf of 
23    students and our community's school (or schools)  to advance 
24    the vision for (name of school district); and
25        I shall strive to work together with the district 
26    superintendent and school personnel to lead the school 
 
 
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1    district toward fulfilling the vision we have created, 
2    fostering excellence for every student in the areas of 
3    academic skills, knowledge, citizenship, and personal 
4    development. 

5(Source: P.A. 96-998, eff. 7-2-10.)