The Wilkes County Board of Education is committed to conducting the purchasing function in an ethical manner. The Board of Education’s purchasing goals and principles will not be compromised by individuals motivated by personal gain.
The Board of Education and its officers, agents and employees are subject to the laws governing conflicts of interest in furnishing supplies to the Board of Education and the use of confidential information.
No Board of Education member or officer, agent or employee involved in the purchasing function will accept gifts, trips or meals from contractors, subcontractors or suppliers except gifts or favors of nominal value or meals furnished at banquets.
The school district’s cost estimate for any public contract is confidential prior to bidding or other competitive purchasing processes. The identity of contractors who have obtained proposals for bid purposes for a public contract is confidential until the bids are opened in public and recorded in the Board of Education minutes. Any employee who divulges confidential information to any unauthorized person will be subject to disciplinary action.
The superintendent or his or her designee is responsible for ensuring that all affected personnel are aware of Board of Education policy requirements and applicable laws. Any individual aware of any violation of this policy or applicable laws should report such violation to the superintendent, or, if it involves the superintendent, to the Board of Education chairperson.
Legal References: G.S. 133-32, -33; 14-234.1, -236, -237; Attorney General Opinion requested by L.W. Lamar regarding G.S. 133-32, the Applicability to Attorneys and Law Firms Providing Professional Services to Local Boards of Education, dated May 13, 1993
Cross References: Board Member Conflict of Interest (policy 2121), Bidders’ List (policy 6441/9121), Employee Conflict of Interest (policy 7730)
Adopted: January 9, 2006