Committee discusses expanding annual financial disclosures; seeks draft ordinance and template for March review

The governance committee discussed whether Saint Louis Public Schools should adopt a local ordinance expanding required annual financial disclosures beyond the three employees mandated by state law. Under current state guidance discussed in the meeting, only the chief operating officer, the district's full-time general counsel, and the chief purchasing officer are required to file personal financial-disclosure statements with the state ethics commission.

District counsel said an ordinance could expand the list to include positions such as purchasing director, procurement staff, principals, or certain contractors, and counsel noted other districts have made broader disclosure requirements. Committee members asked whether the district could include contractors or major vendors in disclosure requirements and how staff would support employees completing forms.

Action items and timing: Counsel said the state provides a template that the district can adapt. The committee agreed to ask staff to prepare a draft ordinance and the completed template and to place the item on the March 2026 governance meeting agenda (the committee set a target to bring full recommendations and template materials in March). Counsel and staff will share the template with the superintendent to coordinate any internal support to help employees complete disclosures.

Discussion vs. decision: The committee discussed the policy rationale, implementation burdens, and the possible scope (employees vs. contractors). No ordinance was adopted; the committee requested an ad hoc committee or staff work to draft a proposed ordinance and to return with a draft for March consideration.

Ending: The committee planted the seed for a future ordinance and set a path forward: counsel will provide a draft template and the governance committee will review the draft in March 2026.