| Advisory opinion regarding whether the Code of Governmental Ethics prohibits the Superintendent of the Monroe City School District from promoting Dr. Cassandra Shelling from the position of certified teacher to the position of principal while her mother, Brenda Shelling, serves as a member of the school board. |
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Brenda Shelling was elected to the Monroe City School District School Board and took office in January 2023. Dr. Cassandra Shelling is the daughter of Brenda Shelling. Dr. Shelling was hired as a certified teacher in August 2024. The school district will have vacancies in one or more school principal positions beginning on June 30, 2025. Dr. Shelling is interested in applying for and being promoted to one of these positions. School principals must possess a Master's Degree and at least five years of experience as a certified classroom teacher. Dr. Shelling is known to possess these credentials. It is custom in the Monroe City School District for classroom teachers to ascend through promotion to school administrator positions.
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La. R.S. 42:1119B provides no member of the immediate family of a member of a governing authority or the chief executive of a governmental entity shall be employed by the governmental entity.
La. R.S. 42:1119B(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection:
(a)(i) Any local school board may employ any member of the immediate family of any board member or of the superintendent as a classroom teacher provided that such family member is certified to teach or is temporarily authorized to teach while pursuing certification.
La. R.S. 42:1119B(2)(a)(v) provides an immediate family member of a member of a local school board or of a superintendent who is employed pursuant to Item (i) of this Subparagraph may be promoted to an administrative position by such school board provided that such family member has the appropriate qualifications and certifications for such position. A school board member whose immediate family member is to be promoted to an administrative position pursuant to this Item shall recuse himself from any action involving the promotion or assignment of job location of such employee, and a superintendent whose immediate family member is to be promoted to an administrative position shall disqualify himself from any action involving the promotion or assignment of job location of such employee. For purposes of this Item, the term "certifications" shall not include any temporary or provisional certification or certifications.
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Adopt proposed advisory opinion.
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| Assigned Attorney: |
Tracy Barker |
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