By Cathy Higgins
BAY MINETTE, Ala. — It seems the Alabama Ethics Commission’s restriction on gift-giving to teachers has proven unpopular in Baldwin County this holiday season. So much so, that Baldwin County Board of Education District 7 Representative Tracy Roberts recently felt compelled to express her support of allowing students and their parents thank teachers with Christmas presents.
“I couldn’t give enough to my children’s teachers,” she announced during the BOE’s regular December meeting.
Roberts’ proclamation came on the heels of a report earlier this month reminding educators of a state ethics-reform bill passed last year banning them, as government employees, from accepting presents that are considered to be monetarily valuable.
As previously reported, Baldwin Legislative Constituent Services Director Stephen E. Pryor clarified the definition, saying such tokens as $50 gift cards from individuals were frowned upon, while acceptable presents included coffee mugs and Christmas ornaments.
However, the Alabama Ethics Commission recently rendered an opinion that did make exceptions for gift cards, in some cases.
“School boards may enact a policy which allows students to contribute a de minimis amount toward a gift card from the class,” the ruling stated, “providing the policy is reasonable, done in good faith and complies with the de minimis requirements of the Alabama Ethics Law.”
Nevertheless, Roberts maintained her support of allowing students to give gifts to teachers without limitations.
