Board attorney reviews School Ethics Act, Open Public Meetings and social-media limits at Leonia BOE meeting

Leonia’s board attorney delivered a training session on the School Ethics Act, the Open Public Meetings Act and board roles, stressing limits on individual board members’ authority and common pitfalls that can trigger ethics complaints.

Board attorney Mr. Lipiro told the board that school boards “are required to enforce the rules of the New Jersey State Board of Ed” and described the board’s proper functions as policy making, planning and appraisal rather than day-to-day administration. “No board member by virtue of his or her office shall exercise any administrative responsibility with respect to the operation of the school district,” he said, summarizing the statute.

The presentation covered three recurring ethics issues: (1) private communications that function as a meeting (email or group texts) can violate the Open Public Meetings Act; (2) board members should refer constituent complaints to the superintendent rather than promising to “take care” of personnel or operations; and (3) confidentiality requirements govern personnel, student and negotiations matters and must be observed outside public sessions. He noted the School Ethics Commission enforces the law and described possible sanctions ranging from warning to censure, suspension or removal in serious cases.

Mr. Lipiro also discussed social-media cautions for board members: use disclaimers when speaking as an individual, avoid posts the author would not want to go public and avoid conduct that could be construed as private board action. He cited past advisory opinions and examples in other districts involving improper public advocacy, personnel contact and volunteer roles that blurred lines between board service and operational activity. He advised board members to request an advisory opinion from the School Ethics Commission when in doubt.

Board members asked procedural questions about volunteering and whether common community volunteer roles (school foundation, HSA/PTA) are permissible; Mr. Lipiro said serving on nonprofit fundraising groups is allowed so long as the board member recuses from related official decisions and avoids operational roles that would place them in supervisory relationships with district staff. He urged members to keep the chain of command — teacher → principal → superintendent → board — when responding to constituent concerns.

No formal board action was required; the session served as guidance and refreshers for board members.