Indiana

IS THIS WHY PEOPLE HATE SCHOOL DISTRICTS?

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

In the property tax debate, I argue the schools have been the worst offenders. They are anywhere from 40-80 percent of the property tax problem. They complained about caps on assessments. They also fought against referendums on school projects in order to keep costs under control. And if all that wasn?t bad enough, here?s a prime example of a school district that doesn?t get it.

According to the Franklin Township Informer, Franklin Township Schools in Marion County collected more than $36,000 in revenue from its Pepsi vending machines. The funds were collected from January 2005 to October 2007. Initially school was allowed to the profits from the vending machines, however a policy change left only $2,500 at each school.

So what did the school district do with the leftover cash? Check this out.  According to detailed records, the district spent $581.00 on an administration breakfast. $473 went to Bobby Jones Beef and Brew restaurant. More than $5,400 was spent on staff retirement lunches or parties. Franklin Township also spent $467 on donuts for a school bus tour. $73 was spent at Kabuto Japanese Steakhouse.  The district also spent more than $500 on flowers for various occasions. And here?s the kicker, the district spend $355 on a piano for a retirement party.

But perhaps the most disturbing expenditure of all was $1,500 to a group called  Stand Up For Education, the money was used to put down on a bond deposit to fight against a remonstrance for a school building project.  So in other words, the school used taxpayers’ dollars to fight against individuals who didn’t want their property taxes increased because of new construction.

When asked if any of these expenses were the proper use of vending machine funds, Franklin Township School Director of Business James McWhirt told the paper, ?It?s not the taxpayers? money. There are no restrictions on how it is spent, it is open-ended.? 

That?s obvious.

The State Board of Accounts does not audit these funds per se, however such funds should generally be used for the benefit of the student body as a whole, rather than a select group of students or administrators.

Could someone tell me how retirement parties, pianos, donuts, flowers, and meals at a Japanese Steakhouse benefit the students as a whole?

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on January 30, 2008 (boomark / email).