According to new calculations by Denver Public School staff, just two board members went over their $5,000 expense budget in the 2010-11 school year.
Board member Arturo Jimenez went over by $1,153.29, $470.66 less than previously reported, and board member Andrea Merida was over budget by $7,427.87, $731.25 less than previously reported.
The new calculations cleaned up accounting mistakes — such as directing charges to the wrong board member, or routing an expense from a different fund — and adjusted to subtract late fees and interest charges.
Board president Nate Easley had already written a $462.84 check to the district to reimburse the amount he believed he had gone over budget. With adjustments, his expenses are now under $5,000.
Both Jimenez and Merida wanted to review their expenses for accuracy before reimbursing the district.
In the adjustments, DPS did not adjust charges to Merida’s budget for phone lines.
Each board member is reimbursed for a cell phone, and that bill does not count against the $5,000 budget. Merida has billed the district for three phone lines. A Vonage home phone for $410.38, and a T-Mobile cell phone payment of $205.43, are still being counted against the $5,000 budget limit.
The board will review a draft for new policy to address appropriate expenses at a meeting Monday.
Jimenez has proposed that board members receive a debit card instead of credit cards, so that charges over the allowed amount are declined.
Board member Mary Seawell who has been in charge of drafting the proposed policy said the board will look at the spending policy DPS uses for other employees, as a starting point.
Yesenia Robles: 303-954-1372 or yrobles@denverpost.com
