Purpose

It is the policy of the Hamden Board of Education (the “Board”) to recruit and hire qualified applicants for employment within the Hamden Public Schools (the “District”), while avoiding both nepotism and the appearance of nepotism.

 

Definitions

“Relative” means a spouse, child, parent, sister, brother, half-sister or half-brother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, step parent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin, grandparent, step child, foster child, grandchild or individual living in the same household.

“Familial relationship” means a relationship between a member of one’s immediate family or a relative, as defined within this policy.

 

Restrictions on Employment of Relatives

No individuals shall be hired in a position of employment that would result in a supervisory or evaluative relationship between a current employee and a relative. 

No employee may be involved in the process of screening for advancement in the application process, interviewing or hiring of his or her relatives.

Employees will not be hired, promoted, transferred or assigned to work in positions in the same school or work unit or department in which a relative is already employed, unless the Superintendent approves such an assignment in writing.

No administrator or supervisor shall supervise any of his or her relatives. 

Employees will not be hired, promoted, transferred or assigned to work in positions in which they will have access to confidential information regarding a relative, such as, but not limited to, information regarding benefits selections, confidential medical information or personnel records that are not subject to public disclosure.

No individuals shall be hired in a position of employment that would result in a supervisory or evaluative relationship between a current employee and a relative. 
 

Disclosure Requirements

A Board member or administrator who has an existing familial relationship with an employee, as defined above, or who has had a change in circumstances which creates a familial relationship with any employee of the District, shall declare such relationship to the Superintendent or Chair of the Board immediately.

If a change in circumstances creates a familial relationship between an employee and his or her supervisor, the Board, through its Superintendent, reserves the right to seek a transfer of any employee in order to resolve any concerns about the operations of the district with respect to nepotism or the appearance of nepotism. The Superintendent may also provide for the evaluation and/or supervision of the employee outside of the typical chain of command in order to resolve any concerns about nepotism or the appearance of nepotism.

A Board member or administrator who knows that his or her relative or immediate family member has applied for a position with the District shall declare such relationship to the Superintendent or the Chair of the Board as soon as practicable.

In addition to the requirements set forth above regarding familial relationships, if a romantic relationship develops between an employee and (1) an administrator who has a supervisory or evaluative relationship with the employee, or (2) a member of the Board, the affected administrator or member of the Board shall declare such relationship to the Superintendent.

 

Recusal

A member of the Board should not vote on any action of the Board that will directly affect a relative or member of his or her immediate family.

 

Discharge and Denial of Re-Employment

No current employee will be discharged or denied re-employment pursuant to an applicable recall provision based on this policy. 

 

Policy revised:	December 12, 2023	HAMDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Policy adopted:	November 9, 2005	Hamden, Connecticut