[Superintendent's Update] Superintendent's Update

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

May 25, 2010

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Two brief updates:

•  Teacher Gifts  I have received a few inquiries from parents and
principals about the appropriateness of giving presents and gifts to
teachers to thank them for their work with your children.  Under the
State’s Conflict of Interest Law, public employees, including school
teachers and staff, are prohibited from receiving a personal ‘gift’ valued
at $50 or more from anyone with whom they have a professional
relationship. Gifts can include money, gift cards, free or discounted
items or services, meals, entertainment event tickets, travel expenses and
the like.  This law applies to teachers, coaches, and administrators who
often receive holiday or end-of-year gifts from students and their
families. 

The Massachusetts State Ethics Commission has provided recent
clarification about whether the ‘$50 rule’ also applies to class or team
gifts comprised of individual contributions equal to or less than $50. 
The Ethics Commission has confirmed that the prohibition applies equally
to gifts given by a class or team, which are comprised of smaller
contributions, if the aggregate value equals $50 or more.  In other words,
it is not appropriate to bundle together several individual gifts valued
under $50 and present them as one large gift if the total values exceeds
$50.

The $50 rule does not apply, however, to gifts presented for the purpose
of purchasing materials for a classroom, school, or team.   Since these
gifts are not for the personal benefit of the teacher or coach, the
limitation does not apply in those circumstances.  All gifts given for
educational purposes must be reported to the Principal, or in the case of
money, turned over to the Principal, who then makes a recommendation for
acceptance to the School Committee.  Under State law, the School Committee
must vote to accept all gifts given for educational purposes, before they
may be used or expended within the School System.  The School Committee
reserves the right to reject any gift or donation, when it deems
acceptance to be inappropriate.  You may learn more about state laws
governing ethics at www.mass.gov or by clicking on this link:  [
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ethsubtopic&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Laws%2c+Regulations+and+Forms&L2=Information+about+the+Conflict+of+Interest+Law&L3=Gifts+and+Gratuities+%28268A%2c+Section+3%29&sid=Ieth
]State Ethics Laws:  Gifts to Public Employees 

By the way, one way to thank teachers and staff is to make a donation in
their name to the Needham Education Foundation (NEF).  The NEF provides
grants and funds to enrich the classroom experience for children in
Needham.  Your gift on behalf of a teacher is meaningful and will go a
long way for Needham's students and schools.

•  Newman Renovation  This Thursday, May 27th at 7:00 p.m. there will be
an informational meeting and workshop about the upcoming Newman renovation
and repair project.  The architect and contractor will provide an overview
of the project and allow parents and community members to ask questions
and offer input into the plans.  The meeting will be held in the school's
media center.

My latest post to the [ http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/
]Superintendent's Blog is available on the district's website.  And, as
always, I welcome your feedback, advice, and comments:
dan_gutekanst at needham.k12.ma.us or 781.455.0400, x203.  Enjoy the upcoming
holiday weekend with your families!

Sincerely,

Dan Gutekanst




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