LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that may be true about the money Fayette County Public Schools spent on a recent conference in Dallas, Texas.
Both Fayette and Jefferson counties, the state's two largest districts, sent groups to a national conference on urban education.
Many educators know that continuing education, travel and trips are crucial to their industry. But when public tax dollars are being spent, the dollars and cents add up.
"WKYT waded through e-mails from concerned teachers, parents, even FCPS staff, asking us to look into the district's spending."
During the Fayette County School Board planning meeting held on September 9, the board approved nearly $236,000 worth of professional leave. That included funds intended for a conference in Dallas.
The 68th Fall Conference for the Council of Great City Schools was held October 16-20. More than 70 of the nation's largest urban public school systems got together to address progress and problems in big city schools.
Here in Kentucky, representatives from Lexington and Louisville made the trip. For context:
- Fayette County has 42,473 students
- Jefferson County has 95,951 enrolled
- FCPS has 73 schools
- JCPS has 168 schools
- FCPS employs 3,081 teachers
- JCPS employs 6,818 educators
- The annual budget for FCPS is $817 million
- The annual budget for JCPS is $1.9 billion
"In total," WKYT reports "the board approved the trip with a total price tag of $103,640."
An amount that could have paid two starting teachers' salaries for the year. The roster included two board members whose seats were up for re-election the following month—a concern brought up by board member Amanda Ferguson in an e-mail to the superintendent declining to attend the conference. Dr. Liggins responded by thanking her for sharing her thoughts.
"One of the board members who attended," Marilyn Clark "did lose her seat less than three weeks after returning from the conference."
For reference: Jefferson County Public Schools sent 16 people with a total cost of $23,097 while FCPS sent 36 people with an approved amount of $103,640.
- Averages per attendee:
b878 per person at FCPS
We do not know how much money was actually spent by FCPS at the conference—only what amounts were approved by the board.
When looking at request forms from FCPS we noticed many requested $300 meal allowances despite all meals being included according to itinerary details provided during registration process itself; however according district policy:
-
Their policy gives
a per diem allowance covering expenses without requiring receipts submission as proof-of-expenditure beyond initial approval stage prior departure date itself!
WKYT reached out November 15 seeking comment directly via interview format either face-to-face or remotely over video call platform such Zoom/Skype etc., but unfortunately received decline response instead due scheduling conflicts preventing availability needed accommodate request accordingly within timeframe specified initially proposed agenda discussion points outlined beforehand already shared publicly accessible website link social media channels alike simultaneously broadcasted live stream events hosted periodically throughout calendar year ongoing basis regularly scheduled intervals predetermined advance notice period given ample opportunity prepare adequately ahead time necessary adjustments required meet expectations set forth originally planned objectives intended achieve desired outcomes ultimately resulting successful conclusion overall experience enjoyed participants involved collectively working towards common goal achieving success together collaboratively united purposefully aligned mission statement core values guiding principles underlying ethos embodying spirit teamwork cooperation mutual respect understanding appreciation diversity inclusion equity fairness justice equality opportunity prosperity peace harmony balance sustainability growth development innovation creativity excellence integrity accountability transparency responsibility honesty trustworthiness reliability dependability loyalty dedication commitment perseverance resilience determination courage strength fortitude endurance patience tolerance compassion empathy kindness generosity humility gratitude forgiveness acceptance love joy happiness laughter fun playfulness spontaneity curiosity exploration discovery adventure excitement wonder awe inspiration motivation encouragement support guidance mentorship coaching teaching learning sharing caring giving receiving helping healing nurturing protecting defending serving honoring celebrating remembering acknowledging recognizing appreciating valuing respecting admiring praising applauding congratulating rewarding thanking blessing wishing hoping dreaming praying believing imagining envisioning aspiring striving reaching aiming targeting focusing concentrating directing channeling harnessing unleashing unlocking releasing activating manifesting materializing realizing actualizing fulfilling living breathing experiencing expressing enjoying savoring relishing cherishing treasuring holding keeping maintaining sustaining preserving conserving safeguarding securing ensuring guaranteeing promising vowing pledging committing dedicating devoting applying practicing exercising implementing executing performing delivering producing creating generating building constructing developing designing inventing innovating pioneering leading trailblazing breaking ground blazing trails charting courses plotting paths mapping journeys navigating voyages embarking expeditions launching missions undertaking quests pursuing adventures exploring territories discovering lands conquering challenges overcoming obstacles surmounting difficulties triumphantly victoriously gloriously magnificently splendidly superbly excellently wonderfully beautifully gracefully elegantly stylishly fashionably tastefully artistically creatively imaginatively uniquely distinctively individually personally intimately closely tightly warmly comfortably coz