Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 12-713
 
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RE:
Advisory opinion regarding whether Jarod Martin, the son of the Superintendent of Schools for Terrebonne Parish, may be promoted to a principal position.
Facts:
Philip Martin is the Superintendent of Schools in Terrebonne Parish. His son, Jarod Martin, currently serves as an Assistant Principal in that school district. Jarod Martin had been an Assistant Principal for at least one year before Philip Martin became Superintendent.

It is anticipated that there will be vacancies for principal positions within the Terrebonne Parish School District, and Jarod Martin may be interested in applying for some of them. Generally, the Superintendent makes recommendations regarding promotions; however, Philip Martin states that he will completely recuse himself from any part of the selection process in which Jarod Martin may be a candidate. The selection process would hinge completely upon an interviewing committee's recommendation, and the district's Assistant Superintendent and Supervisor of Personnel will coordinate and direct all interview committee issues and tabulations with regard to any position for which Jarod Martin may apply.

Law:
R.S. 42:1112B(1) of the Code prohibits a public servant, except as provided in Section 1120, from participating in a transaction involving the governmental entity in which, to his actual knowledge, a member of his immediate family has a substantial economic interest.

R.S. 42:1119A prohibits members of the immediate family of an agency head from being employed within his agency. However, R.S. 42:1119C(2) states that this general prohibition will not preclude the continued employment of any public employee, nor hinder, alter, or in any way affect normal promotional advancements for such employee where a member of the public employee's immediate family becomes the agency head of the public employee's agency, provided that such public employee has been employed in the agency for a period of at least one year prior to the member of the public employee's immediate family member becoming agency head.

Recommendations:
Adopt proposed advisory opinion.

Assigned Attorney: Deidra Godfrey
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2012-713 draft opinion
2012-713- Advisory Opinion Request