NAG 6: LEGISLATION

TRENTHAM SCHOOL STATEMENT OF INTENT

CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR SCHOOL TRUSTEES AND STAFF

Created - July 2006

Reviewed by BOT - December 2022

Ratified by BOT – December 2019

Next Review Date – December 2025

PURPOSE

To ensure the Board effectively manages actual, potential and perceived conflicts of interest guaranteeing the integrity of Board decisions and reputation of Board members.

GUIDELINES

1. The Board of Trustees shall create a register of all Board members detailing any interests, relationships or holdings that could potentially result in a conflict of interest. This register shall be updated whenever a Board member’s circumstances change or a new member joins the Board. It should be reviewed at the start of each school year and following trustee elections.
   

2. Board members who have a conflict of interest shall be excluded from relevant board meetings (or relevant parts of board meetings), or managed as appropriate with with an agreed conflict if interest management plan in place.

3. All staff and board members will effectively manage conflicts of interest between the interests of the school on one hand and personal, professional and business interests on the other. This includes managing potential and actual conflicts of interest as well as perceptions of conflicts of interest.
   

4. Any trustee who has a pecuniary interest or any other interest that may influence them in carrying out their duties and responsibilities as a trustee must be excluded from any meeting while the board discusses, considers, considers anything relating to or decides on the matter.
   

5. Any trustee who is a member of the board’s staff must be excluded from any meeting while the board discusses, considers, considers anything relating to or decides on any matter relating to their own employment or a complaint received against them.
   

6. In the course of board meetings, Board members will disclose any interests in a transaction or decision where their family and/or partner, employer or close associate will receive a benefit or gain. After disclosure, the person making the disclosure may be asked to leave the meeting for the discussion and will not be permitted to vote on the question.

REFERENCE:

New Zealand School Trustees Association (NZSTA)