Policy 2160 Board Member, School District Officers & Employee Code of Ethics

This policy establishes a code of ethics for all school district Board members, officers, and employees to ensure integrity and public confidence. It outlines prohibitions against conflicts of interest, restrictions on gifts, and guidelines for handling confidential information and district resources.

SYOSSET CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD MEMBER, SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEE CODE OF ETHICS Policy 2160

The Board of Education is committed to avoiding any situation in which the existence of conflicting interests of any Board member, officer or employee may call into question the integrity of the management or operation of the school district. The Board of Education recognizes that sound, ethical standards of conduct serve to increase the effectiveness of district officers and staff as educators and public employees in the community. Adherence to a code of ethics promotes public confidence in the schools and furthers the attainment of district goals.

The Board of Education also recognizes its obligation to adopt a code of ethics setting forth the standards of conduct required of all Board members, district officers, and employees under the provisions of the General Municipal Law. Therefore, every Board of Education member, officer and employee of the School District, whether paid or unpaid, shall adhere to the following code of ethics.

Statutory Conflicts of Interest

It is a conflict of interest for a Board of Education member, officer or employee of the School District to benefit personally from contracts made in their official capacity.

• “Contract” is defined broadly to include any claim, account or demand against or agreement (express or implied) with the School District which exceeds the sum of $750.00 in any fiscal year. • An “interest” is defined as a direct or indirect pecuniary or material benefit accruing to an officer or employee of the School District as the result of a contract with the School District.

No Board of Education member, officer or employee of the School District shall have an “interest” (i.e., receive a direct or indirect benefit as the result of a contract with the district) in:

1. a firm, partnership or association in which he/she is a member or employee; 2. a corporation in which he/she is an officer, director or employee; 3. a corporation in which he/she, directly or indirectly, owns or controls five percent (5%) or more of the stock; 4. a contract between the School District and his/her spouse, minor child or dependents, except for an employment contract.

Code of Ethics

1. Gifts: A Board of Education member, officer or employee of the School District shall not directly or indirectly solicit any gift or accept or receive any gift having a value of $75 or more from any group, entity, or individual 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, could reasonably be

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BOARD MEMBER, SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEE CODE OF ETHICS Policy 2160

expected to influence him or her in the performance of official duties, or was intended as a reward for any official action on his or her part.

However, the Board of Education welcomes and encourages the writing of letters or notes expressing gratitude or appreciation to staff members. Gifts from children that are principally sentimental in nature or of insignificant financial value may be accepted in the spirit in which they are given.

2. Confidential Information: A Board of Education member, officer or employee of the School District shall not disclose confidential information acquired by him or her in the course of his or her official duties or use such information to further his or her interest. In addition, he/she shall not disclose information regarding any matters discussed in an executive session of the Board of Education or Audit Committee whether such information is deemed confidential or not. All discussions held in a properly convened executive session shall be deemed confidential and may not be disclosed unless the majority of Board of Education members deems disclosure to be appropriate.

3. Representation before the Board of Education or School District: A Board of Education member, officer or employee of the School District 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.

4. Disclosure of interest in matters before the Board of Education: A Board of Education member, officer or employee of the School District, whether paid or unpaid, must, to the extent that he or she knows of, publicly disclose the nature and extent of any interest they or their spouse have, will have or later acquire in any actual or proposed contract, purchase agreement, lease agreement or other agreement involving the School District (including oral agreements), to the governing body and his/her immediate supervisor (where applicable) even if it is not a prohibited interest under applicable law. Such disclosure must be in writing and made part of the official record of the School District. Disclosure is not required in the case of an interest that is exempted under §803(2) of the General Municipal Law. The term “interest” is defined above.

5. Investments in conflict with official duties: A Board of Education member, officer or employee of the School District 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.

6. Contracts supported by a Federal award: No Board of Education member, officer, employee or agent of the School District may participate in the selection, award or administration of a contract supported by a federal award if he or she has an interest in in the contract. Interest for the purposes of contracts supported by federal awards shall mean where the Board of Education member, officer or employee of the School District, any member of his/her immediate family, his/her partner, or an organization which

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BOARD MEMBER, SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEE CODE OF ETHICS Policy 2160

employs or is about to employ an immediate family member, has a financial or other interest in or a tangible personal benefit from a firm considered for a contract. No Board of Education member, officer or employee of the School District may solicit or accept gratuities, favors or anything of monetary value from contractors or subcontractors.

7. Private Employment: A Board of Education member, officer or employee of the School District shall not engage in, solicit, negotiate for or promise to accept private employment when that employment or service creates a conflict with or impairs the proper discharge of his or her official duties.

8. Involvement with Charitable Organizations: A Board of Education member, officer or employee of the School District may be involved as a volunteer, officer or employee in a charitable organization which has a relationship with the School District. If a Board member is a board member, officer or employee of the charitable organization, the Board of Education member must disclose such relationship in writing to the School District, and the Board of Education member must recuse himself or herself from any discussions or votes relating to the charitable organization which may come before the Board of Education. When participating in the activities of the charitable organization, the Board of Education member, officer or employee of the School District shall not disclose any confidential information learned in the course of his or her official duties or use such information to further personal interests. Additionally, the Board of Education member, officer or employee of the School District shall not make representations on behalf of the district unless specifically authorized to do so by the Board of Education.

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