House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

Posted:	June 20, 2017 03:07 PM
From:	Representative Jason Ortitay
To:	All House members
Subject:	School Board Member Eligibility Legislation

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to address potential conflicts of interest for school board members who serve in school districts which also employ members of their immediate families. Section 322 of the Public School Code of 1949 presently contains the eligible criteria for school board members, including offices incompatible with the office of school board member. However, this section does not prohibit a school board member from serving in a district that also employs members of his or her family. Section 1111 does address the employment of relatives of school board members, however, only insofar as it prohibits the employment of a teacher who is related to a school board member, unless such teacher receives the affirmative votes of a majority of board members, other than the board member related to the candidate who must abstain. My legislation will address the potential conflicts of interest that may arise from these situations simply by prohibiting an individual from serving as a school board member in a school district which employs a close family member of that individual, including a father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, grandfather, grandmother, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, cousin, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law. I hope that you will join me in co-sponsoring this legislation.
View Attachment