Ethics commission declines to adopt draft opinion on school‑board member’s private medical‑training business, directs staff to redraft

The Ethics Commission on (date not specified) declined to adopt a staff draft advisory opinion about whether a newly elected school‑board member may continue to have her private medical‑training business operate in district schools and market services to district students.

The commission’s draft found that "there is nothing inherently unethical about a school board member running a private business," but warned that "a conflict would arise pursuant to the ethics code if [the board member] marketed her business to district students, or if district students ultimately signed up for or participated in any of her business's courses," and recommended that while the board member may continue to volunteer, she may not market to district students, hire district employees, or sponsor school teams if the sponsorship provides advertising consideration.

Why it matters The case tests the second part of Florida Statute 112.313(7)(a), which looks at whether an officer’s private employment or contractual…