A proposed Lehighton Area School District anti-nepotism policy seeks to prevent conflicts of interest in hiring and supervision, according to board members and administration.

The policy, modeled after the one in place at Palmerton Area, prohibits direct supervision of relatives while still allowing family members to be employed within the district.

Superintendent Jason Moser emphasized the importance of ensuring hiring decisions are based on merit rather than personal relationships.

“The idea here is really to make sure that either the administration or the board is not hand-selecting candidates that they are directly related to,” Moser said.

He noted that while the district must maintain a high standard of professionalism, outright banning family members from employment could create challenges in recruiting qualified candidates.

Several board members voiced support for the Palmerton model, highlighting its clear guidelines and practical application.

Palmerton’s policy, adopted in 2018, states that nepotism, or even its appearance, can lower staff morale, create public distrust, and hinder teamwork and performance.

“The family relationship of an employee or applicant for employment to a board member, commissioned officer, or management-level employee shall not be a basis for, factor in, nor an influence upon hiring, assignments, evaluations, or other personnel actions,” the policy states.

The policy defines nepotism as “the hiring of relatives of the board or superintendent” and lists a broad range of relationships under “relative,” including parents, spouses, children, siblings, in-laws and step-relatives. If a job applicant is related to or resides with a board member, superintendent or management-level employee, the related party must abstain from participation in the hiring process, including screening, interviewing, and evaluating. Furthermore, any such relationship must be disclosed before the hiring decision is finalized. The policy also prohibits employees from supervising or evaluating relatives and states that it does not affect the employment status of current employees.

“I think this is very important,” director Duane Dellecker said. “Because, like I said last time, a month ago, we have over 500 pieces of policy, but nothing dealing with nepotism.”

The policy will now move forward to a first reading at the next voting meeting.