Alabama came up with a new ethics law that restricts gifts to public officials and employees in order to try to stop corruption. This law, inadvertently affected teachers though, and now parents and children are not allowed to give gifts to teachers unless they are of “de minimis” value. This means, that you may not give your child’s teacher a gift card, money or even a ham, this Holiday Season. You can provide baked goods but anything that you give to him or her must not have significant value.
I read an article today, which states that Governor Bentley is trying to amend this law to remove teachers, and I for one agree with him (maybe for the first time!).
Giving a gift to your child’s teacher is not going to corrupt them into giving your child all As! In the last few years, as the economy has tanked, they’ve had to deal with budget cuts that leave them with little or no resources. They spend thousands of their own dollars providing fun and enriching activities for our children. They prepare our children to be the future leaders, doctors, and lawyers of America. Does your child’s education have significant value? The least we, as parents, can do is thank them by giving them a gift at Christmastime! What do YOU think?
