Board Member Conflict of Interest

Board members are expected to be familiar with and observe the National School Boards Association guidelines for ethics, and be familiar with and adhere to those provisions of New Hampshire and federal law which define school board authority and govern conflict of interest.

The Board requires its members not only to adhere to all laws regarding conflict of interest, but also to be alert to situations which may have the appearance of a conflict of interest and to avoid actions that might compromise themselves or the Board.

Four areas of Board operations must be guarded with particular care in order that there be no real or seeming conflict of interest. These are purchasing, hiring of personnel, employment of Board members, and promoting a particular position on matters before the Board. Therefore:

1. No member of the Board will have any direct pecuniary interest in a contract with the school district or in the purchase or sale of any school property or equipment of the schools. It is not the intent of this policy to prevent the district from contracting with corporations or businesses because a Board member has an association with the firm.

2. Once appointed to the Board, a Board member must abstain from any discussion or vote regarding immediate family members employed by the Board in any capacity.

3. No member of the Board may be employed by the Board in any capacity for which a salary is paid during the term for which he or she was elected, or for six months after the expiration of the term. It is not the intent of this policy to prevent any Board member from volunteering his/her services within the school community.

4. No member of the Board will accept any favor, service or object of value or derive any form of personal gain in return for promoting a particular position or using personal influence on matters before the Board.

In any instance where there is actual conflict or the appearance of conflict of interest, the Board member will be expected to declare that a conflict exists, or may exist, and refrain from debating or voting on the issue.

Lyme School Board