“….Arizona is the cellar dweller among the states when it comes to per pupil funding of public schools.” ~ Mark Evans, Editor TucsonCitizen.com
No one would believe Mark Evan’s assertion that Arizona is the “cellar dweller” of educational funding by looking at Tucson Unified School District’s quarterly travel spending report, but it is true. That is why travel expenses are so unbelievable.
TUSD staff travel expenses from April to June were $272,324. TUSD staff was absent from the district for travel purposes a total of 1626 days for one quarter. The staff travelled across the world this past year; from Korea to California, Canada to Maryland.
On the other hand, business travel is down for a number of reasons. The business community is using webinars, conference calls, and the like more and more to save money. Also, Business Travel News reports that business travel is down due to, “… factors unrelated to the down economy, such as improved videoconferencing technology and rising corporate concern over carbon footprints, present additional challenges to business travel and meetings.”
While staff travels the globe, the kids of TUSD have fewer and fewer field trips. Many of them never travel across town, much less visit the state’s capitol or state parks. From Canada to London, Germany to Korea, and Maryland to Oregon, Florida to Boston the TUSD staff attended conferences across the world this past year.
Preliminary research shows surprising spending and spenders…………..
Overall travel costs: $272,324
Title I and II travel expenses: 75,419.85
*Desegregation Funds travel expenses: 24,165.61
Top Central Administrator traveling/spending:
Dr. John Pedicone: Superintendent
Augustine Romero: Director Student Equity
Top School Administrator traveling/spending:
Veronica Duran: Asst. Principal Doolen Middle School
Heidi Aranda: Principal Ochoa Elementary School
Furthest travelers:
Maria Menconi: Deputy Superintendent Shinan-gun, Korea June 28-July 8, 2011
Jim Fish: Asst. Superintendent Shinan-gun, Korea June 12-30, 2011
Theresa Tenace Principal Shinan-gun, Korea June 13-26, 2011
Top Desegregation Funds travelers/spenders:
Utterback Middle School: High Tech High Summer Institute
Sahuaro High School: Training of Trainers – Facilitating a Formal Conference
Top Title I spenders/travelers:
Pat Delaney: Coordinator PACE/Title 1
Veronica Duran: Asst. Principal Doolen Middle School
Top travelling/ spending schools:
Ochoa Elementary School: 51,904.10
Robison Elementary School: 12,324.10
*The most egregious travel expenses are those made with desegregation funds. The monies were intended to “level the playing field” and close the achievement gap.
Previously posted in the Tucson Citizen