§ 557. Gratuity or compensation prohibited

(a) A member of the State Board, a supervisory union board, or a school board, the Secretary, and any person employed by one of the boards or by the Agency shall not solicit or receive directly or indirectly any gift or compensation for recommending or voting on any finding, ruling, decision, or report, or voting to procure any service, thing, or supply purchased with public funds. A violation of this provision is subject to 13 V.S.A. § 1106(b).

(b) A member of the State Board, a supervisory union board or a school board, and any person employed by one of the boards shall not receive directly or indirectly anything of value by contract or otherwise, from the school district or supervisory union he or she serves unless it is received:

(1) as a result of a contract accepted after a public bid in accordance with law;

(2) in public recognition of service or achievement;

(3) as regular salary or expenses allowed by law for official duties performed as a member of the board; or

(4) for employment according to the provisions of section 558 of this title.

(c) No school board member or supervisory union board member shall vote on any contract or purchase in which he or she has a direct or indirect interest.

(d) A person who violates subsection (b) or (c) of this section shall be fined not more than $1,000.00 and shall be incapable of holding elective or appointed office in this State for two years next ensuing. (Added 1969, No. 298 (Adj. Sess.), § 34; amended 1989, No. 188 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 64, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.)