Advisory Opinion No. 96-35

Re: Richard A. Cunningham, Jr.

Question Presented

An elected member of the North Kingstown School Committee requests an advisory opinion as to whether he may accept an appointment as a volunteer (i.e., no compensation of any kind) baseball coach at the town's high school given that the petitioner represents that he will disqualify himself from voting or otherwise participating in any matters relating to the baseball program that come before the School Committee.

Response

The Code of Ethics does not prohibit the petition, an elected member of the North Kingstown School Committee, from accepting an appointment as a volunteer baseball coach for the School Department, serving without compensation. Commission Regulation 36-14-5006 prohibits employment from one's own board only if a position carries with it financial benefit or remuneration. The petitioner correctly indicates that with such appointment, however, he should follow the dictates of R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-14-6 regarding notice and recusal if and when any matters involving the baseball program come before the School Committee.

Code Citations:

36-14-5006

36-14-6

Related Advisory Opinions:

91-53

89-23

Keywords:

revolving door

dual public roles