Warning Wellesley parents: Don’t get carried away with those teacher gifts

Wellesley schools superintendent Bella Wong has issued a memo to families warning of new ethics laws that would apply to extravagant teachers’ and coaches’ gifts (Yes, you might need to buy those shiny apples at Stop & Shop or Star Market instead of Whole Foods).

According to the memo: “Any public employee is prohibited from receiving a personal gift with a value in excess of $50 from an individual if the gift received is because of the position held by the recipient.”  Wong clarifies two potentially confusing points:  even group gifts that exceed $50 are prohibited; and gifts in excess of $50 that are designated for purchasing supplies for a class, school or team are not prohibited.