It's admirable that Weston's Board of Education is standing by its newly-embattled superintendent of schools--at least at this early stage of the controversy that surfaced earlier this week.

But the question remains, is a superintendent that stands convicted of breach of ethics at a former job in Pennsylvania exactly the role model they want to head their school system?

On Monday, the school board held a press conference to show its support of Superintendent Janet Shaner after it became known that the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission had ruled that she had violated the state's ethics code by accepting $16,899 in gifts from a contractor while serving as assistant superintendent in West Chester, Pa.

The violation was not a one-time "mistake" but took place in varying amounts from 1989 to 1998.  It was not cash that was involved but instead $15,100 in gift certificates to a local department store and the rest in accessories.  These were given by a 60-year old construction manager who Shaner said she considered to be a friend and with whom she often exchanged gifts.

Shaner, who has been in Weston only a little more than a year, said she didn't disclose her problems with the ethics commission to the school board during the interview process because of strictions placed on her due to the ongoing investigation.

It strikes us as odd that in background checks that are usually done on individuals seeking top jobs like superintendent of schools the matter of the ethics investigation didn't surface.

We realize that we are not talking about a criminal offense--Shaner did not steal anything or embezzle from the district.

But shouldn't she have known that what she was doing was not ethical according to the parameters of her job?

In journalism or politics or any profession, there are ethical considerations that govern the behavior of individuals.  It's quite clear that if a "friend" who also happens to be a source or a campaign contributor gives you something there is at least the risk of its appearing to be improper and therefore should not happen.

We don't doubt that Shaner has done a good job in Weston, as evidenced by all the warm words and testimonials in her defense.

But at this point school officials must ask themselves, if Shaner continues, when she gets up in front of the students and talks about honesty, integrity and responsibility, will her words carry any weight?  Or have her actions already spoken louder than anything she can possibly say?