NILES SCHOOLS Chief explains bill for dinner

The money was to come from a grant awarded for improved test scores.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- The stink raised over a professional development dinner takes away from the honors the teachers deserve, a school official says.
Board of education members disputed the $792 purchase order the district presented at a meeting earlier this month to pay the dinner bill.
The document was drafted and approved but voided before it was paid.
The money was never to come out of the general fund, explained Superintendent Patrick N. Guliano.
"This was grant money that was awarded by the state for improved proficiency test scores," he said.
The money was part of a $25,000 grant awarded to the staff at Garfield Elementary School in 2001 after test scores increased more than 118 percentage points from 2000 to 2001.
The state set aside $10 million to provide incentives to districts for great improvements.
Guliano said the money can be used for a variety of reasons at the discretion of the principal. In this case, the original plan was to provide a dinner for roughly 30 people, including staff members and their families.
He added he was never invited to the dinner, which is set for Tuesday. Cost of the dinner is being paid by a private donor.
"It was meant to be a treat for their hard work and accomplishments," Guliano said of the Garfield staff.
Background
The question at the board meeting was whether the district is being consistent in its spending practices in the midst of a state-imposed fiscal watch.
Guliano said since the money was never from the general fund, there should not have been any question.
He said he's concerned the discussion at the board meeting puts a bad light on the accomplishments of the teachers and even on Treasurer Linda Molinaro.
"She is very, very meticulous in watching the spending," Guliano said. "She watches every dime and does a very good job in monitoring the situation."
slshaulis@vindy.com