The Chula Vista Elementary School District board reviewed and took action on several business and non-instructional policies related to travel, purchasing and asset accounting.
Trustees considered an update to the travel-expenses policy (BP/AR 3350 referenced in materials) that moved travel-related guidance from human resources to the business services area, updated per-diem and receipt requirements, and added a requirement that certain uses “shall have prior authorization by the superintendent or his or her designee.” Staff said the revisions followed recommendations from the county office of education and the California School Boards Association. After trustees debated whether to treat the agenda item as a first reading only to allow more public input, the board voted 3–2 to adopt the policy at the meeting; Trustee Dominguez Cervantes voted No and asked that more community review be allowed.
Separately, the board approved an update to Board Policy 3400 to raise the capitalization threshold for district assets from $5,000 to $50,000. Staff explained this change aligns accounting practice with GASB standards (GASB 87 and GASB 96 for leases and subscription IT agreements) and reduces routine depreciation processing while keeping items in inventory records. That item passed 5–0.
The board also adopted a new district policy governing district credit cards (BP 3314.3 in materials). Staff said the policy formalizes long‑standing practice: principals and some directors use district credit cards for items that cannot be purchased via purchase order (for example, some travel registrations or last‑minute deposits). Trustees asked for an administrative manual describing transaction limits, reconciliation procedures and consequences for unauthorized use; staff said principals generally have per‑card limits (example cited: $1,500 single‑transaction limit, $5,000 monthly limit), and reconciliations are reviewed by fiscal services and audited by the county office. The credit‑card policy passed 5–0.
Board members asked staff to circulate administrative procedures and reconciliation details to increase transparency and oversight. Staff said cardholders are trained, receipts are required, and the district recovers unallowed expenses from employees when needed.