Democracy is messy.

That's been obvious at Pittsburgh school board meetings, where Mark Brentley and Randall Taylor have grown increasingly frustrated with district decisions and increasingly frustrating to some of their fellow board members.

Mr. Brentley and Mr. Taylor say a proposed code of conduct that is to come up for a vote at tomorrow's meeting is an attempt to muzzle them, a claim that other board members deny. The code is just another step in getting members to perform better as a board, according to President Bill Isler.

Reading the policy, though, it's easy to see how Mr. Brentley and Mr. Taylor reached that conclusion. It includes some awfully fuzzy language that seems to be saying don't talk to the media, don't make waves and don't make your arguments with too much passion.

One item in the draft released last week says, "Complaints and problems from parents or community members should be discussed with the superintendent to seek solutions before making district matters public."

Another says, "Given all pertinent facts, public input and my personal judgment, I will accept the will of the majority even when it is contrary to my opinion."

School board members represent distinct sections of the city, and it's their responsibility to bring to the table their own concerns and those of the residents who elected them. Similarly, they're supposed to carry information back to their communities. Is it really fair to ask board members to pipe down once an issue has been decided by the majority?

After all, another statement on the list of 14 in the drafted code of conduct says: "Be open, fair and honest and encourage communication among board members, staff, students and the community."

We're left wondering just what this code is supposed to accomplish.

Not all of the items are problematic. Some of them, as a matter of fact, are pretty innocuous: be respectful to staff and board members; be prepared for meetings; listen carefully. No arguments there.

But this is a board made up of duly elected members, all with equal standing and authority to address the challenges facing Pittsburgh Public Schools. Each deserves the respect of his or her peers, just as each deserves the right to speak out in public, both at and away from board meetings.