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Tuesday, April 18, 2006
The Detroit Board of Education tonight overwhelmingly adopted a more stringent policy on conflict of interest and employee conduct.
The policy is designed to hold employees to higher ethical standards, provide unambiguous direction on how to avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of one, and to inform them about the consequences of violating the policy.
At the direction of DPS Superintendent William F. Coleman III, a team of senior level District employees spent several months working on the revision of this policy. The District has always had a policy in place. But the measures adopted by the board tonight raise the bar significantly for employees and board members.
“Working in the public sector is a sacred trust,” said Coleman. “Therefore, we have a responsibility to act in the best interests of the public. We have a responsibility to continue to seek ways to earn the trust and respect of the public. We also have an obligation to set an example for our students in the way we conduct ourselves personally and professionally.”
The revised policy encourages employees to police themselves while providing clarity on matters that could be considered a conflict of interest.
A conflict-of-interest review committee made up of members of the community and employees will be set up to oversee ethical and conflict-of-interest issues. The committee will issue opinions and make recommendation to the superintendent and the board.
Some highlights of the policy:
• Employees may not negotiate, recommend, solicit, participate or administer any contract in which they have a direct or indirect interest.
• Employees may not have any involvement in any business transaction in which they stand to profit from confidential information obtained from their position or authority.
• Employees may not use their official positions for personal gain, gifts or favors.
• Employees must not disclose information gained in the course of their official responsibilities that would affect a personal interest, including the interests of close friends and associates or any family members.
• DPS employees must immediately inform their supervisors if they believe there is the possibility of a conflict of interest. They must also remove themselves from any involvement in that matter.
• Employees must disclose the names of all relatives employed by the District. This change will help curb issues of nepotism.
The policy includes safeguards for ensuring that employees are not unduly influenced by gifts received from parties doing business with the District. So while employees are allowed to accept food or beverages provided at a single event or associated with the normal course of District business, the policy imposes restrictions on the number of times employees may attend such events. This policy will be posted on the District’s website. In addition, copies will be made available through the District’s human resources department.
