DJ ©
PURCHASING

(Purchasing Ethics Policy)

The District's Governing Board members and employees shall not use their offices or positions to receive any valuable things or benefits that would not ordinarily accrue to them in the performance of duties if the things or benefits are of such value or character as to manifest a substantial and improper influence upon the performance of their duties.

The Governing Board may provide food and beverages at School District events, including official school functions and trainings, as allowed by the Arizona Constitution and policies of the Department of Education.

A person who supervises or participates in contracts, purchases, payments, claims or other financial transactions, or a person who supervises or participates in the planning, recommending, selecting or contracting for materials, services, goods, construction, or construction services of a school district or school purchasing cooperative is guilty of a Class 6 felony if the person solicits, accepts or agrees to accept any personal gift or benefit with a value of three hundred dollars ($300) or more from a person or vendor that has secured or has taken steps to secure a contract, purchase, payment, claim or financial transaction with the school district or school purchasing cooperative.  Soliciting, accepting or agreeing to accept any personal gift or benefit with a value of less than three hundred dollars ($300) is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Any person or vendor that has secured or has taken steps to secure a contract, purchase, payment, claim or financial transaction with a school district or school purchasing cooperative that offers, confers or agrees to confer any personal gift or benefit with a value of three hundred dollars ($300) or more on a person who supervises or participates in contracts, purchases, payments, claims or other financial transactions, or on a person who supervises or participates in planning, recommending, selecting or contracting for materials, services, goods, construction or construction services of a school district or school purchasing cooperative, is guilty of a Class 6 felony.  Offering, conferring or agreeing to confer any personal gift or benefit with a value of less than three hundred dollars ($300) is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

For the purpose of this policy a gift or benefit means a payment, distribution, expenditure, advance, deposit or monies, any intangible personal property, or any kind of tangible personal or real property.  A gift or benefit does not include food or beverage, expenses or sponsorships related to a special event or function related to individuals identified in this policy, nor does this include an item of nominal value such as a greeting card, T-shirt, mug or pen.

A District employee who has control over personnel actions may not take reprisal against a District employee or that employee's disclosure of information that is a matter of public concern, including a violation of District policy or laws/regulations governing the District.

Adopted:  November 20, 2005

LEGAL REF.:
A.R.S.
15-213
15-323
38-503
38-504
Article IX, section 7, Constitution of Arizona (laws pertaining to travel and
   subsistence, gifts, grants, including federal grants, or devises)
Policies adopted by the Department of Education

CROSS REF.:
DJE - Bidding/Purchasing Procedures
GBEAA - Staff Conflict of Interest