| Advisory Opinion request by Ralph Thibodeaux, Superintendent for the Louisiana Schools for the Deaf and Visually Impaired (LSD), regarding whether teachers at LSD may receive an award from Sorenson Communications. |
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Sorenson Communications (Sorenson) is a Video Relay Service provider, which LSD has allowed to place its video phone/deaf communications equipment at their school campus. Sorenson owns the equipment and is responsible for all repairs and maintenance. LSD does not pay Sorenson for use of the equipment. Instead, Sorenson is paid per each call through the equipment from the Interstate TRS Fund, which is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The video phones provided by Sorenson are not used in the classrooms. Instead, they are located in the administrative offices for phone conversations between LSD staff and deaf parents of students attending LSD. Sorenson has solicited nominations for various awards from LSD, including the "2017 SVRA Top Ten Teachers" contest, which will give a $1,000 award to a teacher at the school.
Sorenson would also like to make a donation to LSD to sponsor a basketball tournament in which students from eleven schools for the deaf across the state of Louisiana would participate.
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La. R.S. 42:1111A( 1) prohibits a public servant from receiving any thing of economic value, other than compensation and benefits from the governmental entity to which he is duly entitled, for the performance of the duties and responsibilities of his office and position.
La. R.S. 42:1115 prohibits a public servant or public employee from receiving a thing of value as a gift or gratuity in certain situations.
La. R.S. 42:1102(19) defines a "public servant" as a public employee or elected official.
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Adopt the proposed advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Jennifer Land |
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