Opinion 18-71


August 6, 2018




 

Dear :


         Your inquiry (18-71) asks if you may continue to serve as a trustee on your local board of education, or at least finish your appointed term, due to your recent appointment as a Support Magistrate.


         A Support Magistrate is a quasi-judicial position, subject to the Rules Governing Judicial Conduct (see 22 NYCRR 100.6[A]). We have previously advised that a Judge is ethically barred from serving as a school board trustee, whether the position is appointed or elected.1


         Enclosed, for your convenience, are Opinions 17-106; 03-135; 09-90; and 90-63, which address this issue.


                                       Very truly yours,




                                       George D. Marlow, Assoc. Justice

                                       Appellate Div., First Dep’t (Ret.)

                                       Committee Co-Chair 


                                        Hon. Margaret T. Walsh

                                       Family Court Judge

                                       Acting Justice, Supreme Court

                                       Committee Co-Chair


Encls.



_____________________


1 The Committee notes that there would be a different result if the position were for a special act school district (see Opinion 13-166/13-166[A]) or a parochial school (see Opinion 97-104/97-105).