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Batavia schools consider nepotism policy

The Batavia school board is considering adopting a policy on nepotism that would require the public to be told if new employees are related to school board members. The proposal — actually a revision to the district’s policy on the hiring process — may be voted on next month.

The policy change also calls for employees to disclose whether they live with or are related to other employees. And it would prohibit employees from supervising a relative or household member.

Board member Kathleen Roberts suggested the policy be clarified to note that relatives of board members, as well as employees, should not be denied advancement based on that status.

And she would like to be informed if relatives of administrators are hired.

“If we are going to do that for relatives of board members, I would kind of like to learn about relatives of administrators as well,” she said.

Roberts also pointed out the list of relatives did not include in-laws, something administrators said was inadvertently left out.

Roberts has a daughter, Wren, who works as a paraprofessional at Hoover-Wood Elementary School.

Under the proposal, the relationship would be noted in the memo supplied to the board when it approves hires. Such memos are available online in the BoardBook for each meeting.

The policy change would not apply to seasonal workers or substitute teachers.

The matter is expected to come up for a vote at the board’s Feb. 26 meeting.

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