BCB

The conduct of school committee members where a possible conflict of interest exists is regulated by Chapter 268A of the Massachusetts General Laws.

In general, if a member of the school committee is a member of the immediate family (the member’s spouse and their parents, children, brothers and sisters) of a person in the employ of the schools, the member of the school committee may not participate in any way in a matter which may affect the financial interest (wages, hours or conditions of employment) of such employee of the schools, except that the member of the school committee may vote on a consolidated budget which includes an appropriation for salaries or other benefits for the group to which the member of the immediate family belongs so long as the school committee member has no participation of any kind in the discussion or approval of that portion of the budget.

Further, a member of the school committee may not participate in a grievance proceeding affecting a member of the immediate family, negotiations concerning employees in the bargaining unit which represents a family member, executive sessions concerning negotiating strategies with that particular unit, or other matter directly affecting or involving the member of the immediate family who is an employee of the schools.

Finally, the member of the school committee should leave the room whenever an issue involving a member of the immediate family arises.

LEGAL REF: MGL Ch. 268A

Adopted January 9, 2013