According to new calculations by Denver Public Schools 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.
Jimenez and Merida wanted to review their expenses for accuracy before reimbursing the district.
Jimenez said he sat down with DPS staffers to look at his expenses and said he still believes there may be mistakes in the reports.
“I still keep finding errors that I have to revise,” Jimenez said. “There’s been a changing policy, but if it’s determined that I’ve gone over and I’m responsible, then I’m happy to pay it back.”
Jimenez said he thought Easley and the board secretary would inform him as he was nearing a limit, but he said it didn’t happen.
Merida also wanted to move some expenses, such as phone charges, so they would not count against her $5,000 budget.
In the adjustments, DPS did not make changes to Merida’s budget for phone charges.
Each board member is reimbursed for a cellphone, 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 cellphone payment of $205.43 are still being counted against the $5,000 budget limit.
Merida did not return requests for comment Monday.
The board will review a draft for a new policy to address appropriate expenses at a meeting Monday.
Yesenia Robles: 303-954-1372 or yrobles@denverpost.com
