Parents and board members press district on p‑card spending and internal-account oversight

Parents, community members and board trustees used public comment and board discussion time to raise a string of questions about district purchasing cards (p-cards), internal fundraising accounts and apparent purchases they said require review.

Nut graf: Speakers submitted specifics from records they reviewed, citing purchases ranging from staff shirts and concession items to conference travel and lodging. Board members asked the business office to audit p-card holders, clarify policy and tighten purchase-order (PO) controls to prevent unauthorized or unbudgeted spending.

A board member cited a register showing more than 60 district purchasing cards and transactions she described as excessive, listing items including staff shirts, donuts, DoorDash charges, coach meals and a single-conference total she calculated as more than $33,000. Board members discussed whether internal account fundraising is commingled with district funds; the business official said fundraising accounts are treated as a special-revenue fund and “we do not commingle.”

Kathy told the board the business office will review p-card distribution and the department is researching system settings that can block PO approvals when budget money is not available. She said some changes are already being evaluated to require budget confirmation before a PO can be processed. Board members requested that the business office produce a clearer inventory of p-card holders and typical monthly limits.

Ending: The board directed staff to audit p-card use and internal accounts, produce a report with recommendations, and consider system changes that would require budget availability before POs are approved.