Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township
Bylaws & Policies
 

3214 - STAFF GIFTS

The Board of School Trustees discourages the presentation of gifts to professional staff members by students and their parents because it could embarrass students with limited means and gives the appearance of currying favor.

It is the policy of the Board that no professional staff member should expect or accept gifts for carrying out the terms of his/her teaching contract.

The Board does recognize, though, that gift-giving to professional staff members at Christmas fits the spirit of the season and gift-giving at the close of an academic year is a part of tradition. At these times, gifts other than money may be accepted; however, teachers should not open gift(s) in class or comment on item(s) in front of students.

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board shall consider, as appropriate, the presentation of token gifts to retiring members of the staff who have rendered service for a period of time.

Professional staff members shall not accept any form of compensation from vendors that might influence their recommendations on or raise a conflict of interest with respect to the eventual purchase of equipment, supplies, or services. See also Board Policy 3113 - Conflict of Interest. Furthermore, professional staff members shall not accept any compensation from a vendor after a decision has been made to purchase equipment, supplies, or services from said vendor. In addition, professional staff members who recommend purchases shall not enter into a contractual arrangement with a vendor seeking to do business with the District or a vendor with whom the District is doing business, whereby an individual professional staff member receives compensation in any form for services rendered.

Such compensation includes, but is not limited to cash, checks, stocks, or any other form of securities, and gifts such as televisions, microwave ovens, computers, discount certificates, travel vouchers, tickets, passes, and other such things of value. In the event that a professional staff member receives such compensation, albeit unsolicited, from a vendor, the professional staff member shall notify the Superintendent, in writing, that s/he received such compensation and the compensation has been returned to the vendor.

A District employee making a recommendation to the Board on a matter to be considered by the Board shall not accept a gift or gratuity from a person or entity having a substantial personal or pecuniary interest in the Board’s decision on the matter in accordance with the restrictions and provisions of I.C. 35-44.1-1-3.

I.C. 35-44.1-1-1, 35-44.1-1-2, 35-44.1-1-4, 35-44.1-1-5
2 C.F.R. 200.318
7 C.F.R. 3016.36(b)(3) and 3019.42

Revised 10/6/15

© Neola 2015