SALEM SCHOOLS Purchase prompts review of procedures

Among the records seized is an invoice detailing a $781 purchase made in March.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- City school district officials are reviewing purchasing procedures after learning that the district's former treasurer used school funds to buy office equipment that was delivered to his home.
"We're supposed to have a checks and balances system in place," schools Superintendent Dr. Dave Brobeck said this morning.
But that system is being scrutinized for ways to improve it after the discovery Dec. 5 of purchases made March 20 by former Treasurer Ted Cougras, Brobeck said.
Cougras resigned Dec. 16 after a Dec. 13 visit to school administration offices by Columbiana County Prosecutor's Office representatives. No charges have been filed.
They seized documents related to Cougras' purchase of a $649 office chair and two chair mats from Modern Office Products Inc., Youngstown.
School district check
The items, which cost a total of $781, were paid for with a school district check, Brobeck said.
They were delivered to Cougras' home at 7949 East Brooke Trail, Poland. Cougras previously resided in Campbell.
Brobeck said a school employee brought the purchase to his attention on Dec. 5. Brobeck responded by notifying board members and the prosecutor's office.
Cougras has offered him no explanation for the purchase, Brobeck said.
Cougras reimbursed the district for the purchase after it was discovered Dec. 5.
Brobeck contended, however, that school employees are not allowed to buy things with school funds, even if they reimburse the district.
The purchase of the chair and mats is partly responsible for Cougras' resignation as treasurer, Brobeck said, without elaborating.
Isn't talking
Cougras, 36, has not returned phone calls seeking comment.
He was hired by the school district in September 1997, and was earning $72,237 annually at the time of his resignation.
The state auditor's office is working with the county prosecutor's office in investigating the office equipment purchase.
On Monday, county Prosecutor Robert Herron declined to comment on the probe.
Temporary appointment
The school board met in special session Sunday to appoint Brobeck temporary treasurer until an interim treasurer can be named.
The school board is considering a strategy for hiring a permanent treasurer that would entail gathering applications from people interested in the job and narrowing that list to several likely prospects, Brobeck explained.
The panel then may hire a consultant to help it choose a treasurer from among the finalists, Brobeck explained.
He estimated that the consultant's aid would cost about $1,000.