The Pittsburgh school board last night postponed a vote on a controversial code of conduct, which two members fear would be a tool for muzzling them.

Thomas Sumpter requested that the board table the item for a month.

He did not give a reason, but board members are believed to want more time to study the proposal and perhaps tweak it.

The code would apply only to the nine board members, and compliance largely would be voluntary.

It would require members to listen courteously to each other's comments at meetings and to "accept the will of the majority" when a decision has been made, even if they disagree with it.

It also would require members to respect confidential information and to address any concerns with Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt "before making district matters public."

The code lists six unethical behaviors, such as belittling other board members, revealing confidential information and making "misleading, confusing or deceptive" statements.

Mr. Sumpter last week described the code as part of the board's 3-year-old effort to better govern the district, saying it would not be used to stifle dissent.

Mark Brentley Sr. and Randall Taylor, whose criticism of Mr. Roosevelt and district initiatives often consumes large portions of monthly meetings, said they feared the measure would target them.

Mr. Brentley has continued to criticize a 2006 round of school closings and other initiatives, saying they've caused unnecessary upheaval in minority neighborhoods. Mr. Taylor angered colleagues in January by publicly questioning the firing of a district administrator.

The board last night appointed Sito Narcisse principal of the university-partnership school to open next school year in the former Milliones Middle School building in the Hill District.

Dr. Narcisse, now an assistant principal at Woodland Hills High School, will join the Pittsburgh district May 1 at a salary of about $98,000.

The board accepted the retirements of J. Kaye Cupples, executive director of support services; Howard Bullard, executive director of secondary schools; Lynda Lewis, principal of Pittsburgh Rogers 6-8 in Garfield; and Ruthane Reginella, principal of Pittsburgh Brashear High School in Beechview. The retirements take effect after the school year.