Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers to consider changes to ethics policy
The Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers will consider changes to its ethics and conflict of interest policy to strengthen ethical standards and increase transparency.
The proposed revisions will establish new standards for ethical conduct, financial disclosure, conflicts of interest, gifts, recusal requirements, and would ban campaign contributions from people who do business with the district.
The board will begin consideration of these revisions at its July 21 meeting, and final consideration is planned for the Aug. 11 meeting.
Proposed revisions
- Reduce campaign contribution limit for donations by school district vendors and contractors to school board races from $2,000 annually to zero.
- Strengthen limitations on gifts and gratuities from vendors doing business with or seeking to do business with the district to board members and their families.
- Require disclosure of certain loans or debts to board members involving district vendors or their representatives.
- Reinforce requirements for board members to disclose conflicts, recuse themselves from discussions and abstain from voting when appropriate.
- Require regular reminders at board meetings regarding ethics and conflict-of-interest obligations.
- Establish that violations of the policy may be addressed publicly by the board and may result in board censure.
Reasons for revisions
In a news release, the district said it believes the changes would strengthen public trust in district leadership.
“Our mission is kids first and nothing we do or allow to happen should conflict with that mission. The public should never have to wonder if a board member’s vote was influenced by a campaign contribution, tickets to a Cowboys game, a gift, or personal financial interest. The public deserves to know that every decision made by this board, and future boards, is made for one reason, what is best for our kids,“ board President Pete Geren said in a statement.
Editor’s note: Pete Geren is the president and chief executive officer of the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, which is a funder of the Star-Telegram’s Crossroads Lab. The Star-Telegram retains independence in all coverage decisions.
