421 Policy: Gifts to District Personnel

I.    PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to establish ethical standards of conduct for all school district personnel including any member of the school board, any superintendent, school principal, or other school district official regarding gifts from individuals, organizations or businesses. In addition, the purpose of this policy is to provide sufficient guidance to allow school district officials to avoid the appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest with respect to gifts.

II.    GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

School board members and school district officials may not solicit, accept or receive a gift from a vendor or provider doing business with or seeking to do business with the school district.

III.    VENDOR AND PROVIDER GIFTS

A.    The following items are not considered gifts under this policy:

1.    An authorized political contribution to a school board member;

2.    Services such as advice, consultation, information, and communication in connection with legislation and services to constituents to assist a school district official in the performance of official duties;

3.    Services of insignificant value;

4.    A plaque or similar memento recognizing individual services in a field of specialty or to a charitable cause;

5.    A trinket or memento costing $5 or less;

6.    Informational material of unexceptional value; or

7.    Food or a beverage given at a reception, meal, or meeting away from the recipient’s place of work by an organization before whom the recipient appears to make a speech or answer questions as part of a program. 

B.    School district personnel may accept a gift if the gift is given

1.    Because of the recipient’s membership in a group, a majority of whose members are not local officials, and an equivalent gift is given or offered to the other members of the group;

2.    By an interested person who is a member of the family of the recipient, unless the gift is given on behalf of someone who is not a member of that family; or

3.    By a national or multistate organization of governmental organizations or public officials, if a majority of the dues to the organization are paid from public funds, to attendees at a conference sponsored by that organization, if the gift is food or a beverage given at a reception or meal and an equivalent gift is given or offered to all others attending.   

IV.    OTHER GIFTS

The school district recognizes that students, parents, and others may wish to show appreciation to school district employees. School district employees may accept gifts as tokens of appreciation.

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Adopted/Revised
Adopted: 3/17/15

Legal References
Minn. Stat. § 10A.071 Certain Gifts by Lobbyists and Principals Prohibited
Minn. Stat  § 123B.02 Subd.6 Bequests, Donations, Gifts 
Minn. Stat  § 471.87 Public Officers, Interest in Contract; Penalty
Minn. Stat  § 471.88 Exceptions
Minn. Stat  § 471.89 Contract, when void
Minn. Stat. § 471.895 Certain Gifts by Interested Persons Prohibited