Board attorney briefs West Windsor-Plainsboro trustees on ethics, conflicts and social media rules

Jeff Cachesi, the board attorney, delivered the district's annual ethics briefing during the reorganization meeting, outlining limits on individual board action and practical guidance for conflicts of interest and social media.

Cachesi told board members that the board is a policymaking body that must act as a group and avoid engaging in administration or taking unilateral actions. He emphasized that ethical review focuses not only on a board member's intent but on whether conduct "gives a justifiable impression among the public that trust is being violated." He reviewed potential sanctions available under the School Ethics Act, including reprimand, censure, suspension and removal, and encouraged members to seek advisory opinions when uncertain.

The attorney used advisory opinions and past School Ethics Commission decisions to illustrate common issues: whether a board member can volunteer for school activities, participate in interview committees, or engage with district personnel when a relative is employed by the district. He advised that volunteering is often allowable but cautioned that activities that put a board member in a supervisory role over students, staff or resources could create conflicts and should be cleared in advance.

Cachesi also reviewed social media examples and case outcomes, noting that private posts have in some cases resulted in censure where they "compromised the board" or undermined public trust. He answered board members' questions about attending political events and appearing in photos: board members retain First Amendment rights but must be mindful of context and appearance; outcomes are fact-specific and the attorney urged members to consult counsel where needed.

The presentation closed with repeated advice to route volunteer coordination and event requests through the superintendent and to request advisory opinions for fact-specific conflicts.

Ending: The training concluded with board members thanking the attorney; several board members stated they learned something new from the examples.