South Carolina requires school board ethics codes and member training

The State Board of Education must adopt a model ethics code, and local boards must include it in their own codes. The rules cover local boards, including charter school boards and boards that authorize charter schools. They exclude State Board of Education members. The state model must follow standards set by the South Carolina Ethics Commission. Boards must adopt codes and revisions at regular meetings and submit copies to the State Board of Education within 60 days. Codes cannot block discussion of board policies and actions outside meetings, except matters discussed in closed sessions. Boards may separately adopt policies barring certain disclosures allowed by law. The state model requirement took effect May 18, 2026, and must be completed by December 31, 2026. Local boards must incorporate later state revisions within three months.

School district board members must complete required training when elected, reelected, appointed, or reappointed. Training covers elected and appointed school district board members, including returning members. Topics include board duties, school finances, and ethics. The department responsible for this training or its chosen provider must deliver the program. The department must review the program every three years. Members who miss training receive a warning and time to comply. Continued failure requires the State Board of Education to send their names to the Governor for a removal recommendation. The training section sets nine months from taking office and from election or appointment. Section 3 also requires completion within one year of the act’s effective date. The new-member program requirement took effect May 18, 2026, with program adoption due December 31, 2026.

Each local school board member must sign a statement confirming understanding of and compliance with ethics and training requirements. Local school boards must certify that all their members meet the training and signed-statement requirements. The member’s statement must cover South Carolina ethics law, the local ethics code, and required training. The board must publish its certification in the minutes of its next regular meeting. Board certification is due within nine months of the board’s election, reelection, appointment, or reappointment.