Nepotism, Conflict of Interest Policies Passed by Board of Education

In a sweeping vote, the school board voted to approve nepotism and conflict of interest policies Tuesday night, despite public opposition to a clause that exempts students from the nepotism policy. 

While the policies do not allow board members and school administrators to appoint relatives to any employment position, the nepotism policy states that "per diem substitutes and student employees are excluded," effectively allowing the children of board members to apply for summer jobs, school officials said. 

School board member Megan Brill said the policy was "not meant to govern summer jobs." "Our kids shouldn't be penalized from having the opportunity that all of you have," she said. 

The policies passed on second and final reading in a 5-0 vote, not without resistance from several members of the audience. 

"Because I'm a volunteer, it does not give me the right to use my position to hire family members," said John Blanton, a resident of West Orange, who disapproved of exempting students. He said hiring children of board members even for part-time positions "does not look good."

Paul Petigrow, vice president of the board of education said the most significant change from last year's nepotism policy was language. 

He said the word "family" was replaced with the word "relative," but that the student and per diem clause remained the same.  

"A $10 an hour worker will no have an influence on this board," said Petigrow. 

School board member Michelle Casalino said that her issue lies with the marketing of open employment positions. "What bothers me is the process," she said. "This needs to be posted on the website."

Summer jobs and open positions were posted on the West Orange School District website through "AppliTrack," a job search engine. Residents, though, contended that the postings were not easy to find and needed to be advertised elsewhere. 

"You need to make sure it's available to all members of the community," said Blanton. 

The conflict of interest policy prohibits board members from participating in the appointment, employment or supervision of family members. Other highlights from the policy include:

• No board member shall discuss or vote on a collective bargaining agreement when a relative belongs to that bargaining unit.
• No board member shall participate in school district action when such action would result in payment of school district funds to a board member, family member, political organization or business related to a board member.

The nepotism policy mandates that school officials avoid the reality and appearance of conflict of interest and not appoint a relative to any employment position. Other highlights of the policy include:

• No school administrator shall supervise or exercise authority on personnel actions regarding a relative.
• Any school official who has such relationship with any employee of the district shall declare the relationship immediately
• Exceptions include: persons already employed when a relative becomes board member or Chief School Administrator, a relative employed that has obtained approval from executive county superintendent of schools, and per diem substitutes and student employees.