Is there any conflict of interest by holding a position whereby an individual has some control over the salary and benefits of the retired teachers while the same individual is also a retired teacher?
Would there be any illegal and/or unethical aspect to such an arrangement?
According to a supportive character reference letter by a former GNPS principal, Phyllis Feldman, in the April 8 issue of Great Neck News, Ms. Donna Peirez is both a retired teacher and also a previous “Vice President” of GNPS’s Union, “Great Neck Teachers Association (GNTA).”
If Ms. Peirez gets re-elected should she be allowed to vote on issues affecting the salaries and benefits of the retired teachers or she should recuse herself when facing the issue?
What if she only recuses herself for only the issues affecting the salaries and benefits of the retired teachers but she would still be allowed to vote on expenses other than the salaries or benefits of the school retirees?
Would there be a conflict of interest? Obviously, if she votes against such expenditures, there would be more funds available that could be utilized for the salaries and benefits of the retirees.
The school’s decisions are influenced by different entities each protecting different interests.
In fact, union leaders and school trustees have adversely conflicting interests.
The function of the school board of trustees a/k/a “Board of Education” (BOE) is to provide the best education for the students while taking into account the best financial interest of the taxpayers.
The members of BOE are supposed to make sure that the proper allocation of the budget is implemented by the optimal use of the available funds in order to materialize those goals.
The unions, however, protect the best financial interests of the employees, teachers and contractors.
Hence, in addition to a possible conflict of interest of Ms. Peirez to be a trustee on the Board of Education, there is another questionable aspect with respect to her candidacy, i.e., her allegiance to the union as she has served as the vice president of the school union. Her allegiance and past connections to the union could cause bias in her decision making.
A unionist mindset is at odds with what is expected from a trustee mindset
Michael Eisenstein
Great Neck