Policy 405: Employee Gifts and Solicitations

PROHIBITIONS

District employees who have discretionary responsibilities regarding contracts, purchases, payments, claims, or other pecuniary transactions may not solicit, accept, or agree to accept any pecuniary benefits from any person or firm known to be interested in, or likely to become interested in, such transactions. 

District employees may not solicit, accept, or receive a pecuniary benefit as payment for services, advice, assistance or conduct customarily exercised in the course of their official duties.

The prohibitions described herein do not apply to trivial benefits not to exceed the value of fifty dollars ($50) incidental to personal, professional, or business contacts and involving no substantial risk of undermining official impartiality.

EMPLOYEE GIFTS

While recognizing that the actions of other individuals or organizations cannot be controlled, it is the intent of the district to discourage individuals or organizations from presenting gifts to school employees except in recognition of special occasions or special services rendered to the school or community.  Any gift from an individual, individual’s family or business of an employee of the district shall not exceed $50.00 in value per school year.  District employees are encouraged to refuse to accept any gift that would tend to place them or the district in a compromised position or otherwise be a conflict of interest as defined in Idaho law.

Except for small promotional items, no gift may be accepted from a business concern supplying, or with an interest in supplying, goods, materials or equipment to district schools.  Acceptance of a gift or contribution will not imply an endorsement of any business, products, or services.

District employees are prohibited from soliciting funds on any district premises or at any school-sponsored activity, regardless of location, for any cause other than those approved by the superintendent, principal or designee.  The selling of merchandise to students and colleagues is prohibited except in cases where such sales have been approved in advance by the superintendent or designee.

The board prohibits compulsory participation by district students, employees or patrons in fundraising activities.

Discipline for violation of this policy may involve actions up to, and including, dismissal.

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LEGAL REFERENCE:

Idaho Code Sections

18-1351 through 18-1360 – Bribery and Corrupt Influence

74-401 et seq. – Ethics in Government

ADOPTED:   July 20, 2022

AMENDED: 

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