9270 - Conflict of Interest

Bylaws of the Board

9270 - Conflict of Interest

The Board of Education (Board) requires that its members adhere to all Connecticut and town conflict of interest laws and ordinances applicable to Board members. Board members should also refrain from engaging in conduct that gives the appearance of a conflict of interest. In addition, Board members are required to adhere to the following provisions, which may also require them to recuse themselves at certain times:

Recusal Defined. For the purposes of Board policy, recusal shall be defined as refraining from any debate, discussion or vote on matters, motions or actions directly related to the subject of the conflict of interest (i.e., specifically related individuals or entities). This definition does not prohibit a Board member with a conflict of interest from participating in discussions, votes or other actions of a general nature beyond that specific subject of the conflict of interest. For example a Board member with a conflict of interest, may participate in discussions and vote on collective bargaining agreements where the bargaining unit happens to include an individual related to the conflict of interest, but the Board member may not participate or vote on contracts or others matters solely affecting the specific subject of the conflict of interest.

1. No member of this Board shall accept employment for compensation by the Board in any position in this school district. Pursuant to Connecticut General Statute §10-232, if a member of this Board does obtain such employment within the district, the Board member shall be deemed to have forfeited his or her Board membership.

2. If a child, grandchild, parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, or civil union partner, of a Board member or said member's spouse’s or civil union partner’s child, grandchild, parent, guardian, or sibling, is employed or is being considered for employment by this Board, such Board member shall declare that they have a conflict of interest in matters directly related to that individual and recuse himself or herself.

3. No Board member shall use his or her position on the Board to influence a non-Board member in an employment or contractual decision; nor shall a Board member use his or her position on the Board to influence a Board member in employment or contractual decisions other than those routinely made by this Board. As necessary, a Board member shall declare that they have a conflict of interest and recuse himself or herself.

4. No Board member shall have a direct pecuniary interest in a contract with the school district. This prohibition includes directly furnishing any labor, services, equipment, or supplies to the school district for compensation. This bylaw does not, however, prohibit the district from contracting with corporations or businesses which employ or are associated with a Board member, provided that the Board member declares to the Board his or her employment or association with such business or corporation and the Board member recuses himself or herself in matters or actions directly related to said business or corporation and refrains from otherwise attempting to influence Board members regarding any directly related matters or actions.

5. No Board member shall have a direct pecuniary interest involving any District employee that is incompatible with the discharge of their official duties, or tends to impair their official duties or creates a conflict of interest. Board members shall not directly or indirectly solicit any business or pecuniary benefit from any District employees including, but not limited to, payment for services, commissions, contracts, loans, gifts, favors or promises. When a Board member has received any financial benefit (e.g., payment for services, commissions, contracts, loans, gifts, favors or promises) from any District employee having a value of $100 or more in a calendar year the Board member shall recuse himself or herself in matters directly related to that individual for a 12-month period. If a specific code of Professional Conduct prohibits a Board member from identifying a client they do not need to declare a conflict of interest but must still recuse himself or herself.

6. The Board shall not give preferential treatment to any business or corporation which employs a town official or paid town employee or in which any town official or paid town employee has a substantial financial interest.

7. No Board member shall solicit information from the public regarding the performance, behavior, or competence of a Board employee. This provision does not, however, prevent a Board member from listening to the public’s concerns regarding a particular Board employee. Any information that results in a complaint, however obtained, should be related to the Superintendent who shall follow contractual procedures.

The above-noted conflict of interest rules are not intended to be a complete list of prohibited conduct or activity by Board of Education members. Board members should be continually aware of any situations which may create actual or apparent conflicts of interest and compromise one’s integrity.

(cf. 1313 - Gifts to School Personnel)

(cf. 3313 - Relations with Vendors/Affirmative Action)

(cf. 3313.1 - Local Purchasing)

(cf. 9005

(cf. 9005 -- Statement of Integrity)Statement of Integrity)

Legal References: 

Connecticut General Statutes

77--479 Conflicts of Interest479 Conflicts of Interest

1010--156e Employees of boards of education permitted to serve 156e Employees of boards of education permitted to serve as elected as elected officials; exceptionofficials; exception

1010--232 Restrictions on employment of me232 Restrictions on employment of members of the board of educationmbers of the board of education

P.A. 05P.A. 05--10 An Act Concerning Civil10 An Act Concerning Civil UnionsUnions

Bylaw Adopted: June 14, 2012

Revised: November 2019