One of my other public records requests has concerned expenses reimbursed to the superintendent. I now have some of the records but not yet, I suspect, all of them. What I do have, however, I personally find to be outrageous.
While our kids do without essential programs, while teachers and other employees lose their jobs, the district has been paying for the superintendent to take his buddies golfing. Yes, that's right and I have the documentation. Two of those golf outings were for CHS fundraisers. If the district foots the bill, how does the superintendent's participation raise funds? This past fall the district paid out $300 for the superintendent to take his friends Forrest Bell, Jack Stoops, and Mike Maloney golfing at a Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce fundraiser. That didn't even raise money for the district; how can it possibly be regarded as a legitimate expense?
Well, here's the key. Although the superintendent's contract says that he is to maintain and submit monthly expense accounts and that expenses must be approved by the School Board, that's not what happens. Instead, he gets a subordinate to approve the expenses. How can someone who works for him say "No" when he asks them to sign his requests for reimbursement? Answer: they can't. The fox is guarding the hen house and the School Board, which is supposed to be overseeing its employee, is left completely in the dark.
It would appear that the superintendent has been double-dipping when it comes to mileage reimbursements. In the contract in effect from July 2007 - July 2010, it was clearly stated that the superintendent would receive $150 per month as an in-district travel stipend and $500 per month as an out-of-district travel stipend. But he has also been submitting mileage reimbursement requests for out-of-district travel to meetings in places like Salem. He is being paid twice for the same mileage! And we're being taken for a ride.
He has also had the district reimburse him for "working lunches" with district staff at local restaurants. Our budget situation is dire and crucial needs are going unmet - why are we paying for his lunch?
WHY ISN'T THE SCHOOL BOARD DOING ITS JOB AND MONITORING ITS ONLY EMPLOYEE?? WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET BOARD MEMBERS TO PAY ATTENTION AND DO THEIR JOBS??
OUR KIDS DESERVE BETTER!
I just heard about this blog, and can I say I am very happy to have found it! I believe a lot of the community members have thought the superintendent has been dishonest in almost every aspect of his position. I applaud you in your endeavors to expose the truth. I look forward to your future blogs.
ReplyDeleteSigned, a concerned community member.
2 or 3 years ago Dr. Hunter attended the Panther Auction, I hope he bought the ticket himself? He also bought a year golf membership at that auction, I hope to God he paid for that out of his pocket and not the District's. Can the public request copies of all his reimbursements since he took office? Are these public records?
ReplyDeleteYes, they are public records and I will submit a request for them. Thanks for the heads-up!
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