The unqualified approval for full membership by the Independent Schools of the Nashville Area (ISNA) of any member school shall imply that school's observance, in spirit and in deed, of high professional and ethical standards in its relations with its students, faculty, and employees and with other schools, particularly when there may be overlapping interests between schools with respect to faculty employment, student enrollment, and the recruitment of both faculty and students. The following guidelines are based on the concept that our strength as independent schools is derived both from the diversity that exists among us and from the support and cooperation that we can give each other. Certain admissions and hiring practices, such as raids on other schools' students and teachers, should not be driven by marketing concerns to the extent that ethics are disregarded.

EMPLOYMENT

A school should recognize the right of its faculty and staff to consider other professional opportunities that may become available after the expiration of a current contract period -- and to conduct preliminary discussions regarding employment -- without notifying the present school. It should also recognize the right of another school to advertise its forthcoming vacancies.

Prior to a school's initiating employment contact with an employee in another member school who has not made an application, the school Head should notify the Head of the employee's current school.

Before a contract is tendered, the Head of the school considering the candidate should consult the Head of the candidate's present school to secure an evaluating statement.

No Head should hire an applicant for a contract period for which the applicant is under contract to another school.

If it develops that, to secure employment with another school, an employee wishes release from a contract for a current year or an ensuing year, the employee should request the present Head to grant such release, and the two Heads should confer in the hope of reaching an agreement which will serve the best interests of both the schools and the employee. In cases where such agreement is not achieved, the pre-existing contract should be honored.

ADMISSIONS

A school should recognize the right of its students and their families to visit and consider other schools at any time -- and to hold preliminary discussions regarding admission -- without notifying the present school.