Ethics Advisory Opinions

Regarding the Code of Ethics’ Gift Guidelines. The dollar limit on an individual gift is $50 (annual limit = $100). A parent paid $30 for a gift basket for a teacher. The retail value of the basket was $69. The parent wanted to know which dollar figure applies with respect to the Gift Guidelines. The Board's opinion is that the proper figure to use is $69, since that is the actual value of the item. In this case, a compromise was possible: the parent was advised that removal of approximately $20 of goods from the basket would cause it to fall under the $50 limit, thus rendering it an appropriately valued gift and in compliance with the Code of Ethics.