Beecher School Board Reviews Adding Accountability Clause to Oath of Office

Beecher Board of Education Regular Board Meeting | October 8, 2025

Article Summary: The Beecher Board of Education held a first reading of a policy update that would add a formal accountability clause to the board member oath of office. The proposed language from the Illinois Association of School Boards explicitly states that failing to abide by the oath could result in board censure or referral for removal from office.

Policy Update Key Points:

• Policy: The board conducted a first reading for Press Plus Policy 119.

• Key Change: The update adds a paragraph to the board member oath of office outlining consequences for violating the oath.

• Consequences: Potential actions include formal censure by the board or referral to the Regional Superintendent for removal from office.

The Beecher Board of Education on Tuesday, October 8, 2025, took the first step toward strengthening its governance policies by approving a first reading of an update to the board member oath of office.

The proposed change, part of the Press Plus Policy 119 update from the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), adds a specific accountability clause to the oath that new members take upon being seated.

The new language states that “a board member who fails to abide by the oath of office or the code may be subject to action by the board, including but not limited to formal censure and/or referral to the regional superintendent for removal from office.”

Superintendent Dr. Jack Gaham noted that while the board already had the power to take such actions, this change formalizes the process and makes the potential consequences explicit within the oath itself.

Board member Brandy Flores spoke in favor of the update, recalling past situations where the board faced challenges in addressing conduct. “The board can conduct business as they see fit is what I was told,” Flores said of previous inquiries. “So I think this is a good thing to have, not only for us and protecting our community that they know that they have recourse if someone is not following their oath of office.”

The policy will be brought back for a second reading and final approval at the November board meeting.