A state lawmaker wants to prevent family members of school district employees from serving on the school board.

Rep. Valerie Gaydos, R-Moon, recently introduced House Bill 2073. So far, it has received no co-sponsorship support in the state House of Representatives. The bill would apply to a prospective board member’s immediate family, including a parent, sibling, spouse, child, stepchild, grandchild, nephew, niece, first cousin, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle or aunt.

“This legislation is necessary to prevent the inevitable conflicts of interest that are bound to arise when the directors are tasked with making decisions that directly affect their family members. School directors are responsible for many of the decisions that affect the school building, students, staff, and taxpayers. It is crucial that their vote is based on benefiting these groups and not influenced by benefiting their family member,” Gaydos wrote in her legislative memorandum. .

In December, a Walker County, Ga., resident filed a lawsuit against two incoming members of her county’s school board saying they aren’t qualified to serve because the board members’ have relatives employed by the distinct. According to NewsChannel 9 in Georgia, the board members’ sons hold management positions in the Walker County School District. George state law states no person who has an immediate family member.. serving as.. system administrative staff in the local school system shall be eligible to serve as a member of such local board of education.

The district superintendent told the television station the board candidates had been told their children were middle management and not part of high-level administrative staff, so they would be allowed to run for office and serve if they won. The case has not yet been decided. A judge has allowed the lawsuit to proceed, but the school board is asking for a six-month delay to prepare.

Such situations are what Gaydos seeks to prevent in Pennsylvania school districts.

“By prohibiting school directors from serving in a district where one of their family members is currently employed, it eliminates this inevitable conflict of interest and helps to provide for a fair environment,” she wrote. “The decisions of school directors need to be in the best interest of the students, staff, and the taxpayers of the school district, not persuaded by a conflict of interest.”