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Article 20 - Code Of Ethics
| Section 20.1 | Purpose. |
| Section 20.2 | Definitions. |
| Section 20.3 | Gifts. |
| Section 20.4 | Confidential information. |
| Section 20.5 | Representation Before The Board. |
| Section 20.6 | Disclosure Of Interest. |
| Section 20.7 | Investments In Conflict With Official Duties. |
| Section 20.8 | Private employment. |
| Section 20.9 | Conflict of Interest |
| Section 20.10 | Distribution of Code of Ethics |
| Section 20.11 | Penalties. |
| Section 20.12 | Reporting of Violations |
Article 20
CODE OF ETHICS
Adopted 1/15/02
Standards of conduct serve to increase the effectiveness of board members and District staff as educational leaders in the community, as well as to promote public confidence and the attainment of District goals. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 806 of the General Municipal Law, the Board of Education promulgates these rules of ethical conduct for the officers and employees of the District. These rules shall be in addition to the provisions of any other general or special law relating to ethical conduct and interest in contracts of municipal officers and employees, including but not limited to Article 18 of the General Municipal Law.
"Officer or Employee" means an officer or employee of the District, whether paid or unpaid, including members of the Board of Education, and their professional or nonprofessional staff and appointees.
"Interest" means a pecuniary or material benefit accruing to a municipal officer or employee unless the context otherwise requires.
(A) An officer or employee shall not directly or indirectly solicit any gift or accept or receive any gift having a value of $75 or more, whether in the form of money, services, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, thing or promise, or any other form, under circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred that the gift was intended to influence him or her in the performance of his or her official duties or was intended as a reward for any official action on his or her part.
(B) However, nothing herein should be construed as prohibiting the traditional exchange of holiday gifts provided discretion is used to ensure that gifts of value are not accepted by staff employees or officers. Gifts from children that are principally sentimental in nature and of insignificant financial value may be accepted in the spirit in which they are given.
Section 20.4 Confidential information.
An officer or employee shall not disclose confidential information acquired by her or him in the course of her or his official duties or use such information to further her or his personal interest.
Section 20.5 Representation Before The Board.
An officer or employee shall not receive or enter into any agreement, express or implied, for compensation for services to be rendered in relation to any matter before the school District, including but not limited to an arrangement whereby the compensation is to be dependent or contingent upon any action by the school District with respect to such matter.
Section 20.6 Disclosure Of Interest.
To the extent that he or she knows thereof, a member of the Board of Education and any officer or employee of the District, whether paid or unpaid, who participates in the discussion or gives official opinion to the Board on any matter before the Board shall publicly disclose on the official record the nature and extent of any direct or indirect financial or other private interest he or she has in such matter.
Section 20.7 Investments In Conflict With Official Duties.
An officer or employee shall not invest or hold any investment directly in any financial, business, commercial or other private transaction that creates a conflict with his or her official duties.
Section 20.8 Private employment.
(A) An officer or employee shall not:
(1) engage in, solicit, negotiate for or promise to accept private interests when that employment or service creates a conflict with or impairs the proper discharge of his or her official duties; or
(2) after the termination of service or employment with the Board, appear before the Board or any panel or committee of the Board, in relation to any case, proceeding, or application in which he or she personally participated during the period of his or her service or employment or that was under his or her active consideration.
(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall bar or prevent the timely filing by a present or former officer or employee of any claim, account, demand or suit against the District on his or her own behalf or on behalf of any member of his or her family arising out of any personal injury or property damage or for any lawful benefit authorized or permitted by law.
Section 20.9 Conflict of Interest
In order to avoid any situation in which the existence of simultaneous, conflicting interests in any officer or employee may call into question the integrity of the management or operation of the District, no person employed by the District shall:
(A) hire, supervise, evaluate, promote, review or discipline any other employee who is a member of the same family B provided that In the event that marriage, promotion or reorganization results in a situation not in compliance with this policy, reassignment or transfer will be effected, in accordance with the applicable provisions of any collective bargaining agreement, to correct the situation;
(B) negotiate or execute any contract on behalf of the District for the purchase, sale or lease of real or personal property, services of any nature, nor for insurance without first having determined the common price for such property, services or insurance, or requesting bids from all potential providers of such property, services or insurance.
(C) allow any matter, concern or interest, personal, financial or otherwise, to influence or interfere with the performance of his or her duties B provided that should such a matter, concern or interest arise, the employee shall bring the matter to the attention of his or her supervisor to seek ways to reduce or eliminate the influence or interference.
Section 20.10 Distribution of Code of Ethics
The Superintendent of Schools shall cause a copy of the Board's code of ethics and this accompanying regulation to be distributed to every officer and employee of the school District. Each officer and employee elected or appointed thereafter shall be furnished a copy before entering upon the duties of his or her office or employment. In addition, the Superintendent shall ensure that a copy of Article 18 of the General Municipal Law shall be kept posted in each public building under the District's jurisdiction in a place conspicuous to the District's offices and employees.
In addition to any other penalties provided by law, any person who shall knowingly and intentionally violate any of the provisions of this Article may be subjected to disciplinary action in the manner provided by law which may result in a fine, suspension, or removal/dismissal from office or employment, as the case may be.
Section 20.12 Reporting of Violations
Any officer, employee or member of the public noting or suspecting a violation of this policy shall immediately report the matter, either in confidence or in public, to the Board and/or the Superintendent.