MISSISSIPPI ETHICS COMMISSION
ADVISORY OPINIONS
SIXTEENTH SECTION LAND
95-037-E     A county school board may not contract with timber companies to purchase sixteenth section timber when those companies employ school board members. [20, 30]
95-055-E     The spouse of a lessee on an existing sixteenth section lease may be appointed as a board member of the school district that is the lessor on the existing sixteenth section lease. [20, 30, A]
94-140-E     A county school board member may not lease sixteenth section lands managed by the school board of which the individual is a member.
93-057-E     A city school district may release land to a tennis and golf club, two members of which are also members of the school district board.
93-199-E     An emancipated son of a school district Trustee may bid on Sixteenth Section land matters and also enter into agricultural leases with the school district, provided.
92-054-E     The board of trustees of a county consolidated school district may not contract with a private corporation employing one of the trustees and the spouse of another. Violations: Section 109; 25-4-105(2).
92-173-E     A county school board may not contract with a corporation as to the sale of 16th Section timber when one trustee and the spouse of another trustee of the school board are employed by the corporation. Violations: 25-4-105(3)(a); Section 109; 25-4-105(2).
90-083-E     The spouse of a consolidate school principal may lease 16th Section land from the county board of education.
89-63-E     A candidate if elected to a county school board may possess a leasehold interest in 16th section land negotiated before becoming a candidate. Cautioned regarding 25-4-105(1).
87-20-E     1. Members of a board may have no interest in any contract with that board within one year of the expiration of the members' term, not from the date of resignation. Violations: Section 109; 25-4-105(2)(f).
2. A school board may be held liable for contracts issued in violation of Section 109.

3. The entering into a lease with the school board by the immediate family of a resigned board member who continues to utilize the property appears to be an attempt to circumvent Sections 109 and 25-4-105(2)(f).

87-63-E     A county school board may lease 16th Section Land to the mother-in-law of one of its board members. Caution: 25-4-105(4); 25-4-101.