District: No Expensive Gifts To Teachers

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District: No Expensive Gifts To Teachers
Superintendent Says Nice Gifts Can Make Teachers Uncomfortable

Posted: 7:42 am CST December 9, 2008
Updated: 8:02 am CST December 9, 2008

North Andover, Mass. -- The North Andover School Committee in Massachusetts has placed a $50 limit on the value of gifts that can be given to public school teachers just in time for the holiday season.

Section: Holiday Guide

Superintendent James Marini told the Eagle-Tribune that some gifts in recent years have become increasingly elaborate and expensive, and have included gift cards, trips to a spa, gourmet food baskets, even cash.

He said expensive gifts violate state conflict of interest laws and sometimes make teachers uncomfortable.

The school committee in the affluent suburb north of Boston passed the gift limit last week and will reassess the policy after the holidays.

The committee recommends giving smaller, personalized homemade gifts or classroom supplies that are not paid for through the school budget.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[Janice]

This isn't unusual. For the school kids, it can become a competition. Some children can't afford to give much at all, so I think a limit is a smart idea. It's often done in the workplace. I think $50 is excessive for a teacher's gift. When there are grades or raises involved, as in school and the workplace, it's important to not give off the impression of trying to buy favoritism. Limits are also put on Christmas grabs, Secret Santas among family and friends. This is nothing new.

[Hollow]

i don't see why this is in the news. it isn't new, as janice said. every secret santa i was in at school had a price limit. there's nothing wrong with it.

[PunkyP0WER]

i think thats a good idea actually. i think buying expensive gifts is innappropriate and is a conflict of interest. $50 is still being generous, i'd cap it at $20-$25 or less

[Chocoholic]

I thik there should be a limit too. Personally, I think the best gifts to give a teacher are school supplies and tissues and things like that. I don't think too many people realize how much comes out of our own pockets.

My personal favorite gifts that I've gotten from students is the ones they make themselves

[Number 9 Dream]

This is something I'm grappling with myself. I really, really want to get my English professor something nice as a thank you gift (along with a heartfelt card) for being my mentor and being so supportive of me. He's also my advisor for the literary magazine I work on. I know if I give him something from the heart and he rejects it because it's a "conflict of interest" or "too expensive," I'd be utterly crushed. Maybe I'll just wait until I graduate or something.