Cape school board to revisit conflict-of-interest policy

Nepotism. Self-dealing. Financial disclosures. These are all matters the Cape Girardeau School Board will take up Monday night in a standard policy governing how board members must financially conduct themselves.

The policy, set to be readopted, deals with conflicts of interest and financial disclosures, spelling out what board members can and cannot do. All members "shall adhere" to the conflict of interest laws, the policy states, taking steps to avoid "situations where their decisions or actions in their capacity as Board members conflict with the mission of the district."

The policy prohibits members or the businesses they own from selling, renting or leasing or providing personal property to the district. Board members and their firms, however, may sell, rent or lease real estate to the district, although a public notice of the transaction must be given before its execution if the payment to the board member exceeds $500 per transaction or $5,000 per year.

Board members are prohibited from being employed by the district, other than on a voluntary basis, even on a substitute or part-time basis.

"While a board member remains on the School Board, the district will not accept an application of employment from the Board member, consider a Board member for employment or decide to employ a Board member," the policy says.

Contracting is another matter. Board members through their businesses may provide independent contractor services to the district. Notice, again, is necessary, if the service costs more than $500 per transaction or $5,000 per year. The service, too, must be competitively bid, and the board members' bid must be the lowest received.

The policy does allow a board member to vote on motions for the district to do business with companies that employ the member, as long as he or she doesn't receive financial benefit. A statement of interest may be required.

On that topic, in a policy section titled "Self-Dealing," a board member is prohibited from voting in favor of a matter specifically designed to provide a special monetary benefit to the board member, his spouse or dependent children. Basically, it means the board member must beg off a vote, or any action that would "directly or indirectly influence" a decision.

Under the heading "Nepotism," the policy strictly prohibits board members from voting to employ or appoint relatives within the "fourth degree" of consanguinity or affinity -- parents, grandparents, spouses, children, siblings, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and so on. Again, board members must abstain from such votes and must leave the room during consideration of the question.

Board members cannot use confidential information obtained in official district business to gain financially.

The policy demands board members and candidates file personal financial disclosure statements.

The full policy may be found on the district's website at http://www.cape.k12.mo.us/schoolboardcentral/viewAgenda.asp?selectedagendaitemid=290&meetingid=37#scrollHere.

Monday's meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the district office, 301 N. Clark Ave.

mkittle@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent Address:

301 N. Clark Ave., Cape Girardeau