Bylaws of the Board
BB 9270
Bylaw Adopted: November 2, 2017
Revised: May 30, 2024
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The Governing Board desires to maintain the highest ethical standards and help ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the district and the public. Accordingly, no Board member, district employee, or other person in a designated position shall participate in the making of any decision for the district when the decision will or may be affected by the Board member's, district employee's, or other designated persons financial, family, or other personal interest or consideration.
Even if a prohibited conflict of interest does not exist, a Board member shall abstain from voting on personnel matters that uniquely affect his/her relatives. However, a Board member may vote on collective bargaining agreements and personnel matters that affect a class of employees to which his/her relative belongs. Relative means an adult who is related to the Board member by blood or affinity within the third degree, as determined by the common law, or an individual in an adoptive relationship within the third degree. (Education Code 35107)
A relationship within the third degree includes an individual’s parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, niece, nephews, and the similar family of the individual’s spouse/registered domestic partners unless the individual is widowed or divorced.
The Board shall adopt for the district a conflict of interest code that incorporates the provisions of 2 CCR 18730 by reference, specifies that district’s designated positions, and provides the disclosure categories required for each position. The conflict of interest code shall be submitted to the district’s code reviewing body for approval, in accordance with Government Code 87303 and within the deadline for submission established by the code reviewing body. (Government Code 87303).
Upon direction by the code reviewing body, the Board shall review the district’s conflict of interest code and submit any changes to the code reviewing body or, if no change is required, the Board shall submit a written statement to that effect. (Government Code 87603.5)
When a change in the District’s conflict of interest code is necessitated by changed circumstances, such as the creation of new designated positions, amendments or revision, changes to the duties assigned to existing positions, amendments, or revisions, the changed code shall be submitted to the code reviewing body within 90 days after the changed circumstances necessitating the amendments have become apparent. (Government Code 84306)
When reviewing and preparing the district’s conflict of interest codes, the Superintendent or designee shall provide officers, employees, consultants, and members of the community adequate notice and fair opportunity to present their views. (Government Code 85311)
Board members and designated employees shall annually file a Statement of Economic Interest/Form 700 in accordance with the disclosure categories specified in the District’s conflict of interest code. A Board member who leaves office or a designated employee who leaves district employment shall, within 30 days, file a revised statement covering the period of time between the closing date of the last statement and the date of leaving office or district employment. (Government Code 87302, 87500)
Conflict of Interest under the Political Reform Act
A district official, including a Board member, designated employee or other person in a designated position shall not make, participate in making, or in any way use or attempt to use his/her official position to influence a governmental decision in which he/she knows or has reason to know that he/she has a disqualifying conflict of interest. A disqualifying conflict of interest exists if the
decision will have a “reasonably foreseeable material financial effect” which is distinguishable from the effect on the public generally, on the district official, the district official’s immediate family, or any financial interest described in 2 CCR 18700. (Government Code 87100, 87101, 87103; 2 CCR 18700-18707
A District official makes a governmental decision when, within the authority of his/her office or position, the District official authorizes or directs any action on a matter, votes or provides information or opinion on it contacts or appears before a district official for the purpose of affecting the decision, or takes any other action specified in 2 CCR 1870.
However, a Board member shall participate in the making of a contract in which he/she has a financial interest if his/her participation is required by the rule of necessity or legally required participation pursuant to Government Code 87101 and 2 CCR 18795.
Conflict of Interest from Campaign Contributions
To avoid improper influence over the Board's decision-making involving the issuance of a license, permit, or other entitlements for use, including a contract, district officers, which includes Board members or agency heads, shall comply with Government Code 84308, including the following: (Government Code 84308)
1. A district officer is prohibited from accepting, soliciting, or directing a contribution of more than $250 from any party or participant to a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use, including a contract, or from that person's agent, while the proceeding is pending before the Board and for 12 months following the date a final decision is rendered in the proceeding, if the Board member knows or has reason to know that the party or participant has a financial interest in the Board's decision.
2. Any district officer who received a contribution of more than $250 from a party or participant in the preceding 12 months shall disclose that fact on the record of the proceeding prior to the Board rendering a decision in the proceeding. If the district officer willfully or knowingly received the contribution and knows or has reason to know that the participant has a financial interest in the Board's decision, the district officer shall not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use the official position to influence the Board's decision.
3. A district officer who receives a contribution that would otherwise require disqualification as described in Item #2 above may participate in the proceeding if the contribution is returned within 30 days from the time the district officer knows or should have known about the contribution and the proceeding.
4. A district officer who unknowingly accepts, solicits, or directs a contribution of more than $250 during the 12 months after the date of the Board's final decision on the proceeding may cure the violation by returning the contribution, or the portion exceeding $250, within 14 days of accepting, soliciting, or directing the contribution, provided the district officer did not knowingly or willfully accept, solicit, or direct the prohibited contribution. The
district officer shall maintain records of curing the violation.
The provisions in Government Code 84308 as specified above do not apply to labor contracts, competitively bid contracts, and personal employment contracts. (Government Code 84308)
Additional Requirements for Boards that Manage Public Investments
Any Board member who manages public investments pursuant to Government Code 87200 and who has a financial interest in a decision shall, upon identifying a conflict or potential conflict of interest and immediately prior to the consideration of the matter, do all of the following:
(Government Code 87105; 2 CCR 18707)
1. Publicly identify each financial interest that gives rise to the conflict or potential conflict of interest in detail sufficient to be understood by the public, except that disclosure of the exact street address of a residence is not required.
2. Not discuss or vote on the matter, or otherwise act in violation of Government Code 87100.
The Board member shall not be counted toward achieving a quorum while the item is discussed. However, the Board member may speak on the issue during the time that the general public speaks on it and may leave the dais to speak from the same area as members of the public. The Board member may listen to the public discussion and deliberations of the matter with members of the public.
3. Leave the room until after the discussion, vote, and any other disposition of the matter is concluded, unless the matter has been placed on the portion of the agenda reserved for uncontested matters.
If the item is on the consent calendar, the Board member shall either make a motion to remove the item from the consent calendar or the Board member shall abstain from voting on the consent calendar. In any event, the Board member shall refrain from discussing or voting on the item. However, the Board member is not required to leave the room during consideration of the consent calendar.
4. If the Board's decision is made during closed session, disclose the interest orally during the open session preceding the closed session. This disclosure shall be limited to a declaration that the recusal is because of a conflict of interest pursuant to Government Code 87100.
The Board member shall not be present when the item is considered in closed session and shall not knowingly obtain or review a recording or any other nonpublic information regarding the Board's decision
Conflict of Interest under Government Code 1090-Financial Interest in a Contract
Board members, employees, or district consultants shall not be financially interested in any contract made by the Board on behalf of the district, including in the development, preliminary discussions, negotiations, compromises, planning, reasoning, and specifications and solicitations for bids. If a Board member has such a financial interest, in a contract made by the Board, the contract is void. (Government Code 1090)
A Board member shall not be considered to be financially interested in which there is only a “remote interest,” as defined in Government Code 1091, if the interest is disclosed during a Board meeting and noted in the official Board minutes. The affected Board member shall not vote or debate on the matter or attempt to influence any other Board member or district official to enter
into the contract. (Government Code 1091)
In addition, a Board member shall not be considered to be financially interested in a contract in which his/her interest is a "noninterest" as defined in Government Code 1091.5. Noninterest includes a Board member's interest in being reimbursed for his/her actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of his/her official duties, in the employment of his/her spouse/registered domestic partner who has been a district employee for at least one year prior to the Board member's election or appointment, or in any other applicable circumstance specified in Government Code 1091.5.
Common Law Doctrine Against Conflict of Interest
A Board member shall abstain from any official action in which his/her private or personal interest may conflict with his/her official duties.
Incompatible Offices and Activities
Board members shall not engage in any employment or activity or hold any office, which is inconsistent with, incompatible with, in conflict with, or inimical to the Board member’s duties as an officer of the district. (Government Code 1099, 1126) Gifts
Board members and designated employees may accept gifts only under the conditions and limitations specified in Government Code 89503 and 2 CCR 18730.
The limitations on gifts do not apply to wedding gifts and gifts exchanged between individuals on birthdays, holidays and other similar occasions, provided that the gifts exchanged are not substantially disproportionate in value. (Government Code 89503)
In addition, the limitation on gifts does not apply to informational materials such as books, reports, pamphlets, calendars, and periodicals. (Government Code 82028)
1. Gifts of travel and related lodging and subsistence shall be subject to the above limitations except when Government Code 89506. The travel is in connection with a speech given by a Board member or designated employee, provided the lodging and subsistence expenses are limited to the day immediately preceding, the day of, and the day immediately following the speech and the travel is within the United States.
2. The travel is provided by a person or agency specified in Government Code 89506, including a government, governmental agency or authority, bona fide public or private educational institution, as defined in Revenue and Taxation Code 203, or nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Gifts of travel exempted from the gift limitation, as described in items #1 and 2 above, shall nevertheless be reportable on the recipient's Statement of Economic Interest/Form 700 as required by law.
A gift of travel does not include travel provided by the District for Board members and designated employees. (Government Code 89506)
Honoraria
Board members and designated employees shall not accept any honorarium, which is defined as any payment made in consideration for any speech given, article published, or attendance at any public or private conference, convention, meeting, social event, meal, or like gathering. (Government Code 89501, 89502)
The term “honorarium” does not include: (Government Code 89501)
1. Earned income for personal services customarily provided in connection with a bona fide business, trade or profession unless the sole or predominant activity of the business, trade or profession is making speeches.
2. Any honorarium which is not used and, within 30 days after receipt, is either returned to the donor or delivered to the district for donation into the general fund without being claimed as a deduction from income for tax purposes.
See Resolution No. 1539.08/14- Adopting a Conflict of Interest Code
Policy Reference Disclaimer: These references are not intended to be part of the policy itself, nor do they indicate the basis or authority for the board to enact this policy. Instead, they are provided as additional resources for those interested in the subject matter of the policy.
State Description
2 CCR 18110-18997 Regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission
2 CCR 18438.1-18438.8 Campaign contribution-based conflicts of interest
2 CCR 18700-18760 Conflicts of Interest
2 CCR 18722-18740 Disclosure of interests
2 CCR 18753-18756 Conflict of interest codes
Ed. Code 1006 Prohibition against school district employees serving on county board of education
Ed. Code 35107 School district employees
Ed. Code 35230-35240 Corrupt practices
Ed. Code 35233 Prohibitions applicable to members of governing boards
Ed. Code 41000-41003 Moneys received by school districts
Ed. Code 41015 Investments
Fam. Code 297.5 Rights, protections, and benefits of registered domestic partners
Gov. Code 1090-1099 Prohibitions applicable to specified officers
Gov. Code 1125-1129 Incompatible activities
Gov. Code 53234-53235.2 Ethics training
Gov. Code 81000-91014 Political Reform Act
Gov. Code 82011 Code reviewing body
Gov. Code 82019 Definition; designated employee
Gov. Code 82028 Definition; gift
Gov. Code 82030 Definition; income
Gov. Code 82033 Definition; interest in real property
Gov. Code 82034 Definition; investment
Gov. Code 84308 Campaign Disclosure
Gov. Code 87100-87103.6 General prohibitions
Gov. Code 87200-87210 Disclosure
Gov. Code 87300-87313 Conflict of interest code
Gov. Code 87500 Statement of economic interests
Gov. Code 89501-89503 Honoraria and gifts
Gov. Code 89506 Ethics; travel
Gov. Code 91000-91014 Enforcement
Pen. Code 85-88 Bribes
Pub. Cont. Code 6102 Bribery of public official; voidable contract
Rev. & Tax Code 203 Taxable and exempt property - colleges
Management Resources Description
Attorney General Opinion 105 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen.69 (2022)
Attorney General Opinion 63 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 868 (1980)
Attorney General Opinion 65 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 606 (1982)
Attorney General Opinion 68 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 171 (1985)
Attorney General Opinion 69 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 255 (1986)
Attorney General Opinion 80 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 320 (1997)
Attorney General Opinion 81 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 327 (1998)
Attorney General Opinion 82 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 83 (1999)
Attorney General Opinion 85 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 60 (2002)
Attorney General Opinion 86 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 138(2003)
Attorney General Opinion 89 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 217 (2006)
Attorney General Opinion 92 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 19 (2009)
Attorney General Opinion 92 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 26 (2009)
Court DecisionDavis v. Fresno Unified School District (2015) 237 Cal.App.4th 261
Court Decision Klistoff v. Superior Court, (2007) 157 Cal.App.4th 469
Court Decision Kunec v. Brea Redevelopment Agency, (1997) 55 Cal.App.4th 511
Court Decision McGee v. Balfour Beatty Construction, LLC, et al. (2016) 247 Cal. App. 4th 235
Court Decision Thorpe v. Long Beach Community College District, (2000) 83 Cal.App.4th 655
CSBA Publication Conflict of Interest: Overview of Key Issues for Governing Board Members, Fact
Sheet, July 2010
Fair Political Practices Commission Publication Can I Vote? A Basic Overview of Public Officials'
Obligations Under the Conflict-of-Interest Rules, 2005
Institute For Local Government Publication Understanding the Basics of Public Service Ethics: Personal
Financial Gain Laws, 2009
Institute for Local Government Publication Understanding the Basics of Public Service Ethics:
Transparency Laws, 2009
Website CSBA District and County Office of Education Legal Services
Website Institute for Local Government
Website Fair Political Practices Commission
Website CSBA
Cross References
Code Description
1340 Access To District Records
1340 Access To District Records
1700 Relations Between Private Industry And The Schools
3230 Federal Grant Funds
3230 Federal Grant Funds
3300 Expenditures And Purchases
3311 Bids
3311 Bids
3400 Management Of District Assets/Accounts
3400 Management Of District Assets/Accounts
3430 Investing
3430 Investing
3470 Debt Issuance And Management
3600 Consultants
4112.8 Employment Of Relatives
4117.2 Resignation
4136 Nonschool Employment
4212.8 Employment Of Relatives
4217.2 Resignation
4236 Nonschool Employment
4312.8 Employment Of Relatives
4317.2 Resignation
4336 Nonschool Employment
6161.1 Selection And Evaluation Of Instructional Materials
6161.1 Selection And Evaluation Of Instructional Materials
6161.1-E(1) Selection And Evaluation Of Instructional Materials
7140 Architectural And Engineering Services
7140 Architectural And Engineering Services
7214 General Obligation Bonds
7214 General Obligation Bonds
9000 Role Of The Board
9005 Governance Standards
9140 Board Representatives
9200 Limits Of Board Member Authority
9220 Governing Board Elections
9222 Resignation
9230 Orientation
9320 Meetings And Notices
9321 Closed Session
9321-E(1) Closed Session
9321-E(2) Closed Session
9323 Meeting Conduct