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Board members are expected to avoid conflicts of interest involving any matter pending before the Board. A conflict of interest is deemed to exist when a member is confronted with an issue in which the member has a personal or pecuniary interest or an issue or circumstance that could render the member unable to devote complete loyalty and singleness of purpose to the public interest. A Board member owes to the Board a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the district.
1. All Board members will comply with state and federal laws pertaining to conflict of interest. Nothing in this policy restricts or affects a Board member's duty to comply with those laws.
2. In addition to conflicts arising out of personal or pecuniary interests, Board members may have family or business relations that could create the perception of a conflict of interest. In such event, where State and federal laws do not require any action, the Board member shall disclose the interest, shall abstain from voting and avoid the appearance of impropriety.
3. In all matters that may have the appearance of impropriety, in addition to disclosing the interest and abstaining from taking any formal action, the Board member shall not attempt to influence the decisions of staff or other Board members on the issue.
4. In addition to restrictions on taking formal action regarding matters which create the appearance of conflict of interest, a Board member is expected to avoid a conflict of interest in the exercise of the member's other duties. A Board member shall not:
a. disclose or use confidential information acquired during the performance of official duties as a means to further the Board member's own personal financial interests or the interests of a member of the Board member's immediate family,
b. accept a gift of substantial value or economic benefit which would tend to improperly influence a reasonable person, or which the Board member knows or should know is primarily for the purpose of a reward for official action,
c. engage in a substantial financial transaction for private business purposes with a person whom the Board member directly or indirectly supervises, and/or
d. receive any compensation for services rendered to the district from any source except Board compensation and reimbursement of expenses incurred as a Board member.
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