Hingham Schools Gift Policy
Hingham families have been generous and thoughtful in past years in their attempts to recognize the efforts of the school staff. Our goal in providing gift-giving recommendations is to assist teachers and staff in their compliance with the law and prevent embarrassing situations (e.g., teacher returning a gift).
Municipal employees may not accept gifts and gratuities of “substantial value” (defined as $50.00 or more) from an individual within a 365-day period. Gifts under the $50.00 limit will still require a teacher to file a disclosure if given by a current student and/or family as this creates the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Teachers are allowed to accept gifts valued up to a maximum of $150.00 per year from current students and/or families as long as the gift is identified only as being from the class, and the identity of givers and amounts given are not identified to the recipient. The teacher may not knowingly accept any additional gift from the parents who participated in the class gift.
Teachers may accept a gift from a group that is for the classroom or school with the understanding that these items are property of the school district.
Municipal employees may not accept gifts and gratuities of “substantial value” (defined as $50.00 or more) from an individual within a 365-day period. Gifts under the $50.00 limit will still require a teacher to file a disclosure if given by a current student and/or family as this creates the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Teachers are allowed to accept gifts valued up to a maximum of $150.00 per year from current students and/or families as long as the gift is identified only as being from the class, and the identity of givers and amounts given are not identified to the recipient. The teacher may not knowingly accept any additional gift from the parents who participated in the class gift.
Teachers may accept a gift from a group that is for the classroom or school with the understanding that these items are property of the school district.