Gifts 

The board ensures that expenditure on gifts incurred by the school is clearly linked to the business of the school. The board has delegated responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of this process to the principal.

Gifts to Staff.

1. Gifts for staff can be purchased for the following reasons: 

• Marriage

• Birth of a child

• Death of a close family member

• Significant event in life of staff member, eg graduation, registration

• End of year thank-yous.

2. Gifts for these events should be appropriate to the event with the cost not exceeding $45 of BOT funds. Any funds over that can be made as appropriate, eg staff contributions, community donations.

3. Staff leaving gifts will total a minimum of $25 and run on a guideline of $25 per year of full-time service up to a maximum of $250. That could mean that several gifts are purchased, e.g. flowers, meal voucher, card and vase that total the amount specified.

4. The school budget will have funds set aside for staff gifts.

5. All gifts will be purchased through the school's normal purchase procedures.

6. A full register must be maintained of all gift purchases, including what was purchased, costs and recipients. The Board will review this register periodically.

7. The cost of a gift should be reasonable and appropriately reflect the benefit received.

8. If the gift is to be given during travel, then the staff member should receive authorisation for the value of the intended koha/gift before the travel. If the need to purchase a gift arises unexpectedly then a full record of the gift will be added to the gift register. The cost of such a gift must be justifiable to the board.

Receiving Gifts

1. Gifts should not be accepted if there is concern that their acceptance could be seen by others as an inducement or reward that might place the staff member under an obligation.

2. If gifts received are small and of little value (under $50) then the recipient may keep the gift.

3. If the gift is larger and more valuable, then the recipients must advise the Board of the gift. The gift will be given to the school to use unless the Board agrees to an exception to this guideline.

4. If the gift arises from an employee's role as an employee of the board, then the gift remains the property of the board. Receipt of the gift should be declared to the principal.

5. A formal register of gifts must be kept if the gift is obviously in excess of $50 in value or is attractive in nature. Gifts regarded as attractive in nature include jewellery, watches and electronic items.

As part of its approval the board requires the principal to provide access to this  procedure and ensure that staff members are aware of it.

Reviewed Term1, 2023