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Trainer from New Jersey School Boards leads ethics refresher for Kinnelon board
Summary
Paul from New Jersey School Boards delivered mandatory ethics training, covering disclosure deadlines, recusal vs. abstention, conflicts involving relatives and nonprofits, and social media guidance; board members asked procedural questions about notifying the superintendent when attending schools.
The Kinnelon Board of Education received its annual ethics training March 18 from Paul of New Jersey School Boards, who reminded members that training and accurate annual financial disclosures protect public trust.
"I'm not an attorney ... this is not official, legal advice," Paul said at the outset of the session, telling members to consult their board attorney for binding counsel. He walked members through the code of ethics tenets and the required training timeline, noting new officers must file disclosure statements within 30 days and returning officials by April 30.
Paul used recent state examples to explain sanctions, saying state penalties range from a reprimand to censure, suspension and removal depending on the conduct and evidence. He emphasized that the public's perception matters: a board member who used a district email address to promote a private parent organization was reprimanded because the action created an appearance of speaking for the board.
He clarified the difference between recusal (a disqualifying conflict of interest) and abstention (lack of sufficient information) and described a four-part test that must be met for an "advice of counsel" defense to apply. Paul also reviewed how relatives and union membership affect participation in collective bargaining and when members must step aside from votes or negotiations.
On social media, Paul advised members to avoid speaking for the board in personal posts and offered a standard disclaimer while cautioning that a disclaimer does not eliminate ethical limits.
Board members asked procedural follow-ups: whether they should notify the superintendent when visiting schools and how to handle contentious social-media discussions. The presenter advised using the chain of command and notifying the superintendent "so he has visibility," a practice several board members said they follow.
Paul offered contact information for follow-up and encouraged members to consult their board attorney when in doubt.
The ethics session concluded before the superintendent presented the budget.
