Rutherford County board rejects policy allowing small gifts to trustees

The Rutherford County Schools Board of Education declined to adopt a proposed change to its code of ethics that would have allowed board members to accept small tokens of appreciation.

The proposal, for Policy 1.106, would have added language allowing unsolicited tokens ‘‘that cannot be readily converted to cash’’ to be given to board members. Board member Monica Rawson introduced the drafting language proposed by the Tennessee School Boards Association, but several members said even small gifts create the appearance of impropriety when the board votes on matters affecting staff and contractors.

Opponents said accepting items beyond thank-you notes risks perceptions that votes could be rewarded, while proponents framed the change as a protection for employees who choose to express gratitude. Board members described a past incident in which staff who had given tokens to some board members faced adverse consequences; proponents said policy language was intended to protect employees from retaliation for expressing thanks.

A motion to approve the ethics change went to a roll call. The roll recorded four yes votes (Mr. Vaughn, Ms. Rozell, Ms. Maxwell and one other) and one no; seven members abstained. Board clerks said the tally left the proposal without sufficient affirmative votes to pass, and the chair declared the proposal did not pass.

The board moved on to its next agenda items after the failed motion. The policy remains unchanged following the June 23 first-reading vote; the board said changes can be reintroduced at a future meeting.