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Board attorney gives annual ethics briefing stressing confidentiality, conflict limits and social media caution
Summary
Board attorney Jeff Gachesi delivered the district's annual ethics presentation, reviewing the code of ethics, limits on individual board action, volunteering rules, confidentiality, social media risks and mandatory training deadlines.
Jeff Gachesi, the board’s attorney, delivered the West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education’s annual ethics presentation during the Jan. 25 reorganization meeting.
Gachesi emphasized the board’s role as a governing body that “is in charge with high level policy making decisions” and warned that board members must avoid conduct that creates a “justifiable impression” that public trust is being violated. He reviewed relevant statutory language cited during the presentation and case examples the State Ethics Commission has used to interpret the code.
Key points included restrictions on board members taking private action that could compromise the board, limits on board member involvement in personnel matters and superintendent searches, and guidance that volunteers who are board members should avoid directing staff or assuming day-to-day administrative duties. Gachesi gave repeated examples in which board members were disciplined for contacting staff directly, sharing confidential executive-session information, or taking actions that appeared to give advantage to friends or family.
On social media, Gachesi advised caution, noting both the potential conflict with a board member’s role and inconsistent ethics-commission outcomes in posted-content cases. He recommended using disclaimers if board members express opinions publicly and, when uncertain, seeking an advisory opinion from the State Ethics Commission.
Gachesi also reviewed required training deadlines and penalties for missed training, noting the SEC may issue orders to show cause, imposes censure or suspension for late training, and that removal is possible if training is not completed by final commissioner action.
Board members asked several clarifying questions about volunteering and financial roles in outside organizations (for example, serving as PTA treasurer). Gachesi said these situations are fact-specific and recommended the board circulate volunteer descriptions and seek an advisory opinion when necessary.
