D.157 board may get purchasing cardsJOAN CARREON - Times Correspondent | Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 12:00 am
CALUMET CITY | The Hoover-Schrum Elementary District 157 School Board is considering getting debit-like purchasing cards for its members to use for expenses related to attending board workshops and conferences.
The board discussed the benefits of having such cards but took no final action regarding them Tuesday.
Business Manager Alicia Evans said spending limits can be set for each card and restrictions can be put into place on how the cards can be used and what purchases can be made with them.
The purchasing cards, also known as "p-cards," would replace cash advances or debit cards given to board members for travel-related expenses such as airfare, lodging, meals and other costs incurred while attending conferences and workshops.
Board President Natalie Barnes said members would continue to be required to turn in receipts for any purchases they make with cards. But if receipts are lost, the district would still have an accounting of all purchases made on the cards, she said.
"I think it will be a good tracking system for board members and their expenditures related to board business," Barnes said. "Basically, every expenditure is tracked. With cash, you don't have that ability to watch how it's spent."
She said she spoke with board members from other school districts that have purchasing cards, and they say the cards are convenient and work well for them.
Board member Charles Garcia said the cards would provide a good way to monitor expenses, but he also thinks safeguards should be put in place.
"Occasionally, people will lose receipts and the purchasing cards will eliminate the problem of lost receipts, because the purchases are tracked. We still need to turn the receipts in, but it's not quite as large of an issue because the transactions will be documented electronically," board Secretary Terri Morrison said in an e-mail response to The Times.
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