NILES $792 dinner causes school board debate

A board member stressed consistency in watching expenses.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- The mere existence of a purchase order has stirred some debate among city board of education members.
At Tuesday's meeting, John H. Davis questioned the cost of a $792 professional development dinner.
Although the paperwork to pay the bill was approved, Superintendent Patrick N. Guliano said the document was voided after a private donor covered the cost.
Otherwise, the money would have come from the district's professional development funds.
The dinner at Alberini's was attended by 30 people -- 19 full-time educators, the superintendent and 10 others, Davis said.
The principle
Davis is concerned that the purchase order was even drafted. Purchase orders are part of the bookkeeping procedures used by local governments to pay bills.
"More than the money, it's the point," Davis said, adding he thinks the board needed to be consistent in watching spending considering the district is in a state-imposed fiscal watch.
Niles School District is expected to finish the school year close to $2 million in the red, and board members have made several cuts in recent months, including voting to close school buildings, laying off more than 20 staff members, cutting unnecessary field trips and not renewing some limited contracts.
"I think the point is we are being consistent," said board President Terry Swauger. "We didn't pay it."
Member John Tricomi echoed Davis' concerns, agreeing that the purchase order never should have been drafted.
"It should have been nipped prior to the purchase order's being approved," he said.
New school move
The board unanimously approved an agreement between the board and the district teachers union, the Niles Classroom Teachers' Association, regarding moving staff to the new Niles Middle School, which is expected to open in the fall.
Under the agreement, all sixth-grade teachers in the district, as well as all those employed at Edison Junior High, will make the move.
Edison will close and eventually be torn down.
slshaulis@vindy.com