Ethics of public officials - particularly the ethics of lobbyists and legislators - became a hot issue during the 2007 Legislative session. To reduce undue influence in the guise of gifts, trips and expensive meals, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 10.

Because "public official" means any person serving the public as an officer, employee, agent or otherwise, regardless of whether the person is compensated for his or her services, the new ethics law affects all OSBA members.

There will be changes, but at this point, it's difficult to say just what they are. That's because rules are still being written and tweaked by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. (HB 2595 changed the name of the Government Standards and Practices Commission to Oregon Government Ethics Commission effective July 31, 2007.)

There is much confusion and many questions we need answers for. Here's what we've done to get to the heart of this issue and the changes it will bring:

• We've asked OGEC for clarification and interpretations on a number of ethics issues as they apply to school board members and employees.
• We're advocating flexibility for our member districts so they can continue legitimate practices that facilitate their work as volunteer board members.
• We're watching a pending lawsuit filed by a private lobbyist that could change the course of the legislation that created changes to ethics laws.

We have a code of conduct online for board members, which we have long recommended boards follow. If you have not read it, do it soon. It wouldn't hurt to memorize it. Here are some crucial parts of the code.

A school board member:

• Insists that all board and district business is ethical and honest.
• Is open, fair and honest - has no hidden agenda.
• Refuses to use board membership for personal or family gain or prestige. Announces conflicts of interest before board action is taken.

The only words of wisdom I can offer you now - until all the dust settles around rule-writing for the state's ethics laws - is to be extremely careful about accepting anything from anyone that could be construed as a gift worth more than $50 and continue to follow the code of conduct carefully - as you probably have been doing.

We'll keep you in the loop as we get more information. We're working on a new ethics and conduct handbook, and you will be receiving e-mail alerts and news clips as well as reading more articles in this newsletter.

OSBA Policy Services department will update BBFA "Board member Ethics and Conflict of Interest," as soon as we get clarifications from OGEC about board members.