| Advisory Opinion Request regarding whether Tikera D. Chisley can maintain her employment as an Education Program Consultant with the Louisiana Department of Education while providing contractual services to Hoffman Early Learning Center as an Accreditation Coach. |
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Ms. Chisley is currently employed as an Education Program Consultant ("EPC") in the LDOE's Office of Federal Programs. As an EPC, she provides support for K - 12 school systems with federal program guidance, compliance, and grant approval as outlined in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Furthermore, as an EPC, she does not provide any program guidance regarding day care centers or other early education programs (programs involving children from birth to age four). The LDOE's Office of Federal Programs does not have any involvement with national accreditation. The national accreditation process is not required, regulated, or administered by the LDOE.Ms. Chisley intends to seek a contractual position with HELC as an Accreditation Coach. As an HELC Accreditation Coach, she will provide services that include advising HELC's director and supporting teachers on developmentally appropriate instruction and care of students from birth to age four. Additionally, as an HELC Accreditation Coach, she will not be required to interact with the LDOE. Ms. Chisley intends to seek a contractual position with HELC as an Accreditation Coach. As an HELC Accreditation Coach, Ms. Chisley will provide services that include advising HELC's director and supporting teachers on developmentally appropriate instruction and care of students from birth to age four. Additionally, as an HELC Accreditation Coach, Ms. Chisley will not be required to interact with the LDOE. Ms. Chisley intends to seek a contractual position with HELC as an Accreditation Coach. As an HELC Accreditation Coach, Ms. Chisley will provide services that include advising HELC's director and supporting teachers on developmentally appropriate instruction and care of students from birth to age four. Additionally, as an HELC Accreditation Coach, Ms. Chisley will not be required to interact with the LDOE.
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La. R.S. 42:1111C(2)(d) provides that no public servant and no legal entity in which the public servant exercises control or owns an interest in excess of twenty-five percent, shall receive any thing of economic value for or in consideration of services rendered, or to be rendered, to or for any person during his public service unless such services are: (d) Neither performed for nor compensated by any person or from any officer, director, agent, or employee of such person, if such public servant knows or reasonably should know that such person has or is seeking to obtain contractual or other business or financial relationships with the public servant's agency; conducts operations or activities which are regulated by the public employee's agency; or has substantial economic interests which may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the public employee's official duty. La. R.S. 42:1111E(1) provides that no public servant, and no legal entity of which such public servant is an officer, director, trustee, partner, or employee, or in which such public servant has a substantial economic interest, shall receive or agree to receive any thing of economic value for assisting a person in a transaction, or in an appearance in connection with a transaction, with the agency of such public servant.
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Adopt the proposed opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
LaToya D. Jordan |
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