Advisory Opinion No. 96-43

Re: Richard B. Dunne, Jr.

Question Presented

A teacher at North Kingstown High School requests an advisory opinion as to whether the Code of Ethics prohibits him from working as a photographer for a private firm and, in that capacity, contracting with either other schools within the North Kingstown school system or students (or their parents) who attend other schools in the town.

Response

The Code of Ethics does not prohibit a teacher at North Kingstown High School from working as a photographer for a private firm and, in that capacity, contracting with either other schools within the North Kingstown school system or students (or their parents) who attend other schools in the town. The petitioner is not an administrator in the North Kingstown school district and, as a result, he has no authority or control over the schools and students for whom he intends to provide photographic services. In addition, his status as a teacher at the high school does not provide him with any special information or access to the schools and students who might become his customers.

Code Citations:

36-14-5(a)

36-14-5(b)

36-14-5(d)

Related Advisory Opinions:

96-31

95-53