School Board limits gas mileage reimbursement

The School Board also will move toward capping trustees’ monthly gas mileage reimbursement to $350 to help with the budget cuts taking place across the district.

Trustees are reimbursed for travel to and from schools, district events, and other professional development training.

In the past two years, their individual yearly reimbursements have ranged from $123.60 for Trustee Erin Cranor to over $5,000 for Trustee Kevin Child.

“I think that there are circumstances and things where trustees are going to places just to go,” said Board President Deanna Wright. “I think that we need to be professional … and be responsible.”

Trustees Chris Garvey and Kevin

Child voted against the notice of intent to change the policy. Child argued that trustees are supposed to be out in public meeting their constituents, and he offered to give up other out-of-state travel expenses instead.

Garvey called for reevaluating money in the board’s office, questioning whether trustees each truly need a district cellphone.

But teacher Karlana Kulseth called the whole conversation a slap in the face, arguing that teachers travel everywhere to obtain professional development in pursuit of a higher salary.

“They’re running here and there and everywhere to get whatever they can that fits within the parameters of their professional growth plan, and you’re sitting here arguing about caps on mileage,” Kulseth said.