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OF LOG STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> 4,oN. ,,�ST1sf DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> �,����c. � t�.°�'�, LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> `" ,�_..,�,.a;� 9 P.O.BOX 4368 <br /> '` �' * BATON ROUGE, LA 70821 <br /> �ONFioEN�� (225)219-5600 <br /> "•»�»•" FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.la.gov <br /> June 11, 2025 <br /> Douglas Lawrence <br /> The Lavv�ence Law Firm, LLC <br /> General Counsel, Monroe City School District <br /> 1900 North 18t�' Street, Suite 213 <br /> Monroe, Louisiana 71201 <br /> Re: Docket No. 2025-302 <br /> Advisory Opinion <br /> Dear Mr. Douglas: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics, at its meeting on June 6, 2025, considered your advisory opinion <br /> request as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") permits the Superintendent of <br /> the Monroe City School District from promoting Dr. Cassandra Shelling froin the position of <br /> certified teacher to the position of principal while her mother,Brenda Shelling,serves as a member <br /> of the school board. <br /> FACTS PROVIDED <br /> Brenda Shelling was elected to the Monroe City School District School Board and took uffice in <br /> January 2023. Dr. Cassandra Shelling is the daughter of Brenda Shelling. Dr. Cassandra Shelling <br /> was hired as a certified teacher in August 2024. The Monroe City School District will have <br /> vacancies in one or more school principal positions begim�ing on June 30, 2025. Dr. Shelling is <br /> interested in applying for and being promoted to one of these positions. School principals must <br /> possess a Master's Degree and at least five years of experience as a certified classroom teacher. Dr. <br /> Shelling is known to possess these credentials. It is custom in the Monroe City School District for <br /> classroom teachers to ascend through promotion to school administrator positions. <br /> LAw <br /> La. R.S. 42:1119B provides no member of the immediate family of a meinber of a goverrzing <br /> authority or the chief executive of a governmental entity shall be employed by the governmental <br /> entity. <br /> La. R.S. 42:11195(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection: <br /> (a)(i) Any local school board may employ any member of the immediate family of any board <br /> member or of the superintendent as a classroom teacher provided that such family member is <br /> certified to teach or is temporarily authorized to teach while pursuing certification. <br /> Page 1 of 3 (BD 2025-302) <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUN/TY EMPLOYER <br />