Politics: Urban League ties would create conflict of interest if Nichols elected to School Board, GAB says

Matthew DeFour, via a kind reader's email:

"She would definitely have to abstain," GAB spokesman Reid Magney said. "You shouldn't be accepting anything from anyone that could influence your decision."

Madison Prep supporters have vowed to continue pressing their case for the charter school. The election could influence the charter school's chances of future approval as Nichols, who has backed the charter school, is running against incumbent Arlene Silveira, who voted along with four other board members against Madison Prep.

Nichols, the Urban League's vice president of learning, acknowledged there could be a conflict of interest that would prevent her from voting on the issue. But she said if the Madison Prep board proposes and runs the school as a separate nonprofit entity, she would be able to vote. That's consistent with state law, according to the GAB.

"If the proposal included any contractual services from the Urban League or shared leadership between the Urban League and the Madison Prep Board, ... I believe there would still be a conflict of interest and I would therefore follow all ethical and conflict of interest policies," Nichols said.

"You shouldn't be accepting anything from anyone that could influence your decision." Is the Urban League the only candidate supporter in this position?

Seat 1 Candidates:

Nichelle Nichols
www.nichols4schoolboard.org
email: nnichols4mmsd@gmail.com

Arlene Silveira (incumbent)
www.arleneforschoolboard.com
email: arlene_Silveira@yahoo.com

Seat 2 Candidates:

Mary Burke
www.maryburkeforschoolboard.net
email: maryburkewi@gmail.com

Michael Flores
www.floresforschoolboard.org
email: floresm1977@gmail.com

Arlene Silveira & Michael Flores Madison Teachers, Inc. Candidate Q & A

Posted by Jim Zellmer at March 22, 2012 4:14 PM
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